Rich Dad Poor Dad Author Robert Kiyosaki Reveals $1.2 Billion Debt, but Says His Wealth Strategy Is Not for Everyone

Robert Kiyosaki, the author of the bestselling personal finance book Rich Dad Poor Dad, has revealed that he is associated with about $1.2 billion in debt, while warning his followers not to simply copy the strategy that led to the huge borrowing.

The figure has attracted attention because Kiyosaki has spent decades promoting the use of debt and leverage to acquire assets and build wealth. However, the $1.2 billion figure does not represent money he personally owes. According to his former wife and business partner, Kim Kiyosaki, the debt is largely connected to a real estate portfolio held with investment partners.

The portfolio reportedly includes around 1,500 apartment units. Because the properties are owned with partners, the debt is shared across the investments rather than being solely Kiyosaki’s personal liability. His personal portion has been described as significantly smaller.

Kiyosaki’s approach is built around the idea of using borrowed money to acquire assets capable of generating income or increasing in value. His financial education platform continues to promote the distinction between what it calls “good debt” and “bad debt”, with leverage being presented as a potential tool for investors who understand the risks.

However, Kiyosaki himself has cautioned people against blindly following his strategy. Real estate leverage can magnify returns when property values and income perform well, but it can also increase financial exposure when markets decline, interest costs rise or rental income falls.

The debt disclosure also puts renewed attention on the financial philosophy behind Rich Dad Poor Dad, which was first published in 1997 and became a global personal-finance bestseller. The book encourages readers to focus on financial education, investing in assets and developing sources of income beyond traditional employment.

Kiyosaki’s latest disclosure therefore offers a more complicated picture of his long-standing message: substantial debt can be used as an investment tool, but borrowing on such a large scale also carries substantial risks.

For ordinary investors, the $1.2 billion figure is less a blueprint to follow than a reminder that leverage can work in both directions. The strategy depends heavily on the assets supporting the debt, the income they generate and the investor’s ability to withstand financial setbacks.