Where did OP say this was the only path to success? Warren Buffett took the more traditional one of just being related to influential and powerful people.

Buffett has worked the media/pr angles magically. He interviews just frequently enough. He has his homespun wisdom persona. His letters to shareholders are marketing gold.

His followers show up to the annual meeting like a pack of cult members.

None of this is to say he's a bad guy, he seems like a good guy. But he's a marketing genius too. No vitriol spewing required.

Yes, he could even be described as beloved. He is quoted constantly, and his quotes have a homey every person kind of vernacular that makes them relatable.