I think that womens' selection criteria when picking long-term mates has more to do with success or willingness to proivde resources to her and her children. Women I've talked to haven't don't describe this as "looking up to" their husband or boyfriend; instead, you hear things like "good provider" or "takes care of me" or "good partner". Men, on the other hand, usually start picking their women by looking for signs of fitness (good looks, measurements, clear skin etc). So, a successful woman is going to have high standards of success for her man, since she can already provide resources; thus, a narrower field. Successful men, on the other hand, get to pick from the most physically attractive women first (eg Donald & Ivana Trump). So you're exactly correct when you say that successful women have to compete with foxy idiots.