The aim of this article is to improve understanding of the support needs of female successors in business transfers. What kinds of support do they need during the succession process? From whom can they get it? Based on the analysis of 13 cases of business transfer to female successors, our results show the range of support sought by women, as well as highlight the fundamental role of the spouse in the success of the business-transfer project. More generally, they emphasise the role of male characters (husband, father, male colleague, etc.) in the accomplishments of female successors, especially in male-dominated industries, illustrating that a masculine presence enables female successors to acquire the necessary legitimacy.