“Rich Dad Poor Dad” author Robert Kiyosaki has revealed that he is carrying about $1.2 billion in debt, despite becoming famous for teaching people strategies for achieving financial success.
The 79-year-old financial author said the debt was accumulated through his real estate investments, as he has long advocated borrowing money to acquire assets capable of generating income.
Speaking on the “Get Rich Education” podcast, Kiyosaki said, “So, I’m a billion two in debt.”
However, he cautioned people against blindly adopting his approach, stressing that anyone seeking to use debt to build wealth must first understand how borrowing works.
Kiyosaki’s former wife and business partner, Kim Kiyosaki, later clarified that the $1.2 billion figure does not represent the amount Robert personally owes.
According to Kim, the debt is largely connected to their real estate portfolio, which includes roughly 1,500 apartment units owned alongside business partners.
She explained that while the portfolio carries substantial debt, Robert’s personal share is considerably smaller.
Vanity Fair estimated that Kiyosaki’s portion of the debt could be between $30 million and $60 million, based on his reported income and the structure of his investments.
Rather than selling his properties, Kiyosaki reportedly borrows against the equity they accumulate, allowing him to access cash while retaining ownership of the assets.
He also reportedly holds investments through separate limited liability companies (LLCs), a structure designed to help protect individual assets if one of his businesses encounters financial difficulties.
Describing the strategy as part of how wealthy investors operate, Kiyosaki said, “If it all comes to hell, you can talk to my attorney,” adding that this is “the way the rich play the game.”
While some financial experts regard the strategy as a legitimate form of leverage, others have warned that maintaining such a high level of debt can become risky if property values fall or rental income and cash flow decline.
