Many parents may not buy this story, but a new study in Britain says that the order in which children are born can determine their later career paths.
According to the study, a first-born child is more likely to become a rockstar, while middle children stand the highest chance of becoming a Prime Minister, and the youngest child is most likely to become an actor.
Researchers have based their findings on an analysis of 100 well-known figures, including 20 rockstars, the last 20 British Prime Ministers, and the last 20 winners of best leading actor and best leading actress Bafta awards, the Daily Mail reported.
They found three quarters of rockstars are either the eldest or only children with examples of first-borns including Mick Jagger, John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
By contrast the youngest child is twice as likely as older brothers or sisters to become an actor, the study found, with examples including Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Judi Dench, Kevin Spacey and Daniel-Day Lewis.
The youngest in a family are often risk-takers, attention seekers and hardworkers with a good sense of humour. They also have the capability to work under pressure.
Middle children meanwhile have a 67 per cent higher chance of becoming Prime Minister than any of their siblings.
Britain’s David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair are all middle children as were former Prime Ministers Anthony Eden, Neville Chamberlain and David Lloyd George, the study found.
The researchers, led by Dr Geoff Ellis, also found that political leaders generally come from larger families with between three and six children.
And, this upbringing typically gives them diplomatic, peacemaking personalities — although they tend to have a competitive streak.
The study also concluded that only children are the least likely to become self-made millionaires and that sibling rivalry could be the driving force behind many successful entrepreneurs.
However, the researchers said that they found there was only one per cent chance of the relationship between personality type or career path and order of birth being a coincidence.