On being golden

Saying that [someone] is golden means that person is in a desirable situation that will likely lead to some sort of success.

I am trying to find out the origin of this phrase. So far, I have found sites that suggest that:

• It is used mainly in spoken informal American English
• It may have originated in the military

Does anyone have a more definitive and reputable explanation for the origin of this expression?

Solution 1:

I don't know, but could it be related to the older golden boy and golden girl, a successful man and woman, respectively? Quotes from the OED, 2nd edition:

1937 C. Odets (title) The *golden boy. Ibid. iii. i. 196 He walks down the street respected—the golden boy!

1964 ‘J. Welcome’ Hard to Handle viii. 91 Poor dear Richard.+ What a change from being the golden boy of English racing.

1965 P. Moyes Johnny under Ground xx. 250 That would have been the end of Beau Guest, the young chevalier, the golden boy.

1971 Sunday Times (Johannesburg) 28 Mar. 24/1 Ever since he assumed the ‘golden boy’ mantle, Richards has studiously avoided local opposition.