Why Being Rich And Handsome Is Not Enough

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Many women claim their ideal mate is handsome and financially successful, but as it turns out, a high income may actually diminish a stunning man’s appeal.

Although facial attractiveness signifies strong genes and high socioeconomic status implies an ability to provide for a family, women may avoid picking long-term partners who possess both traits together, according to a recent paper in Personality and Individual Differences.

Female participants were asked to rate photos of attractive, average, and unattractive males based on their appeal as lifelong companions. Personal ads suggesting high, medium, or low levels of wealth accompanied the photos. Although researchers predicted that those in the attractive, well-off group would receive the top ratings, women preferred the good-looking guys of medium, rather than high, financial standing.

The study’s authors suggest that women are wary of entering into partnerships with eye-catching men of means because these guys are likely to be desired by other females, which may increase the likelihood they’ll be unfaithful.

So should hunks climbing the corporate ladder despair of meeting a mate? Lead researcher Simon Chu says no. “Partners of highly attractive, high-status men may just need a little more reassurance than the partners of other guys.”