Guy Fieri has revealed a surprising philosophy about what will happen to his fortune after he is gone—and his two sons may not be able to simply collect their father’s wealth without putting in the work themselves.

The celebrity chef and television star has built a massive culinary empire over the years, transforming his success on shows such as Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives into a sprawling business career. But despite his financial success, Fieri has made it clear that being his son does not automatically guarantee a comfortable life funded by his fortune.

Fieri has previously spoken openly about his approach to parenting sons Hunter and Ryder, emphasizing the importance of hard work, independence and earning their own achievements. Rather than handing them a blank check to his empire, he wants them to understand what it took to build the wealth they could eventually inherit.

That philosophy extends to his estate plans.

According to Fieri, his children will not simply be handed everything without conditions. If they want to take over portions of the family business, they will have to demonstrate that they are capable of handling the responsibility and contributing their own effort.

For Fieri, the issue isn’t about punishing his sons or refusing to provide for them. Instead, it comes down to making sure they understand the difference between inheriting wealth and earning success.

The celebrity chef has reportedly been thinking about this philosophy for years, rather than making the decision impulsively. His concern is that giving children unlimited access to money can remove the motivation that helped their parents succeed in the first place.

That has made his approach particularly controversial.

Some fans applauded Fieri for refusing to raise children who expect to live off their parents’ achievements. They argued that enormous inherited wealth can become a burden if the next generation never learns how to work independently.

Others, however, questioned whether such strict conditions are necessary when Fieri has already accumulated enough wealth to comfortably support his family for generations.

The debate became even more interesting because Fieri isn’t simply talking about leaving behind money. His children could potentially inherit access to a much larger business empire, meaning they would be taking responsibility for brands, restaurants, investments and other ventures connected to their father’s name.

And that is where Fieri’s philosophy becomes especially important.

He doesn’t want his sons to see the family fortune as a shortcut.

Instead, he wants them to understand that the privilege of carrying the Fieri name comes with responsibility. If they eventually become involved in the family empire, they will have to prove that they can contribute rather than simply show up and collect the benefits.

For Hunter and Ryder, that could mean their father’s greatest inheritance isn’t actually the money at all.

It may be the expectation that they earn their place at the table.

And for a chef who built his career around turning hard work into success, that may be the most fitting lesson Guy Fieri could leave behind.