The statement at the top is False,
Here some examples of Successful Hard working Young Americans:
Mikaila Ulmer, founder and CEO of "Me & the Bees Lemonade"; Mihir Garimella, creator of Firefly; Noa Mintz founder of "Nannies By Noa"; Evan Spiegel & Bobby Murphy, co-founders of Snap-Chat; Moziah "Mo" Bridges founder and president of Mo's Bows.
Hard work does not guarantee success, but the lack of it will probably lead to failure.
The combination between hard work and smart decisions increase the chances of what a person can achieve. Success is a combo of determination, being smart, persistence and resolution.