Dogs in tiaras, martinis in Manhattan: Following the rich wives of Instagram

Aditi did not post a picture with her son on Mother’s Day. This was intriguing since she has posted pictures with him earlier; most memorably, of riding pillion on his motorbike. By riding, of course, I mean sitting, a subterfuge that did not bother me, I imagined it was only because she wouldn’t want to be caught dead wearing a helmet; at least, until someone really prominent — maybe the Kardashian (not a Kardashian) — makes it hip. It is true that Aditi’s look is usually very baby doll, her hair falling straight over her shoulders, eyes lined and substantially winged, lips painted pink. These days she wears a lot of cropped tops, showing off both that admirable waistline as well as a Versace belt. Still, even if this look is at odds with the fact that she has a 20-something old son, I did expect to see some kind of stylishly triumphant account of her successful mothering. There was none. What was the reason, I wondered. In case you’re wondering, Aditi (name changed) is one of the many rich women whose lives I follow rather closely on Instagram.
Wait, did I say women? I meant wives. Rich wives. Being a rich woman might entail suffering the exhaustions of a workday, having to put down the fin-bros in an investment bank or sweet talk an oily bureaucrat who’s refusing to sign a file or charge from airport to meeting to hotel and back. Being a rich wife is different. Not for them the hardships of creating or growing wealth. Sure, their bios often say fashion designer or interior decorator, some of them have written books or published their photographs, and all of them are philanthropists. But their focus is solely on living the good life.