2nd September 2026 – (New York) Robert Kiyosaki, the 79-year-old author of the best-selling financial self-help book ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’, is reported to have accumulated a debt burden of approximately one point two billion dollars through an extensive portfolio of real estate investments. This figure, which Kiyosaki himself referenced during a recent appearance on the ‘Get Rich Education’ podcast, is the result of a long-standing investment approach that prioritises leveraged borrowing for acquiring income-producing assets.
Kiyosaki’s philosophy centres on using debt as a tool to purchase properties that appreciate over time, allowing him to borrow further as equity rises, while treating such borrowings as tax-free income rather than liquidating assets. The investments are structured through separate limited liability companies, providing a legal buffer between assets in the event of financial difficulty. According to Vanity Fair, Kiyosaki’s personal exposure is considerably smaller than the headline figure, with his share potentially estimated between thirty and sixty million dollars, given his claimed annual earnings of around three million dollars.
Kim Kiyosaki, his former spouse and business partner, has clarified that the overall debt comprises obligations tied to their real estate holdings, often shared with partners, rather than being directly and wholly attributable to Kiyosaki himself. She also noted that Kiyosaki’s use of such a striking figure is intended to draw attention and illustrate his philosophy on why investment debt can play a constructive role in building wealth, despite common misinterpretations.
This method of using debt to finance investments, particularly in property, is considered standard practice among many multi-property investors. Proponents assert that borrowing against the increased value of assets allows for capital growth without incurring tax liabilities on unrealised gains, although it also leads to higher loan repayments and interest costs that can affect cash flow. Critics, however, warn of the risks associated with extensive leveraging, noting that over-reliance on debt can expose investors to significant financial hazards should asset prices decline or borrowing costs increase.
‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ was first self-published in 1997 and has since sold more than forty four million copies worldwide. The book contrasts the lessons Kiyosaki attributes to his two father figures—his biological father, Ralph Kiyosaki, and his mentor, Richard Kimi—laying the foundation for his advocacy of investing in cash-generating assets and distinguishing between constructive investment debt and borrowing for personal expenditure.