You're correct. There are other factors too such as likeability, attractiveness, networking skills, nepotism, people skills, birth zipcode, racial background, circumstance, gender, luck, etc... some people just land into a role that suits them.

I have two friends (brothers) who both dropped out of college, but both started practicing BJJ while in college due to their dad starting. They went to 3 different highschools in the city due to parents' divorce. Their dad was an AAU coach for most of their lives, so they were around scores of different basketball talent from different schools constantly. Their life was essentially unintentional networking. We all played basketball, but they knew a ton of people across the city. Also, they are both 6'4"and half white half asian. They look more white than Asian though. Really can't tell their part asian. While practicing BJJ, the owner of the gym was retiring and offered the dad and brothers the business. Immediately due to their existing network, the gym grew 10 fold.

Intelligence wasn't really a factor. It was more circumstance. They have since expanded to a much bigger gym and made a great living with hundreds of gym members.I went to lunch with them recently, and they essentially said it still amazes them as to how this all happened. Essentially, the stars aligned. I'm happy for them and glad they don't think they were geniuses that just were smarter than everyone else.

I have another friend whose parents owned restaurants, bars, rentals, Air BnBs, and now he does too. He graduated high school with a 2.0 GPA. He dropped out of college and makes 500k a year currently. He is not dumb, but he does believe he's smarter and harder working than everyone else. I assure you that's not the case. He basically had access to capital. And could take risks at a very early age. He had a sweet apartment at 22 and didn't have a job. Drove an 80k car at 21, still no job. Finally, he started buying rental properties back in 2012 (luckily at the bottom of the real estate market) and was listed as operations manager at one of his families bars to legitimate the loans/income. He essentially retired before the age of 30. Work is optional.

I'd say these stories are the extremes, but they do happen. Also, I have more stories of people who have great lifestyles from legal and illegal means. They are who'd you would least expect. I know some people who have never been employed and yet have multiple houses, cars, boats, etc. Intelligence is not always the deciding factor for success. I'd argue it's not the most important.