Robert Kiyosaki Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Robert Kiyosaki’s Net Worth?

Robert Kiyosaki, an American investor, businessman, author, motivational speaker, and financial commentator, boasts a net worth of $100 million. He gained widespread recognition for his book “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” which has since been regarded as a foundational piece in personal finance literature. His career spans various entrepreneurial undertakings and a strong commitment to financial education. Kiyosaki’s philosophy is influenced by two father figures in his life: his biological father, who adhered to conventional academic and employment paths, and his friend’s father, who embraced entrepreneurship and shared valuable financial insights.

The book “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” published in 1997, turned into an international bestseller and led to a series of works under the “Rich Dad” banner. These writings emphasize financial independence, investing, real estate, and the significance of financial literacy, frequently challenging traditional perceptions of employment and income. Beyond his literary contributions, Kiyosaki has pursued numerous business initiatives and educational projects, stressing the importance of practical financial education. Although he has faced controversy and criticism, particularly for the operations of his “Rich Dad” seminars, Kiyosaki continues to be a significant figure in personal finance and wealth creation.

Early Life

Born on April 8, 1947, in Hilo, Territory of Hawaii, Robert Kiyosaki’s full name is Robert Toru Kiyosaki. He is the son of Ralph and Marjorie Kiyosaki and is identified as a 4th-generation Japanese-American, or “Yonsei.” His father was an educator with a Ph.D. at the time of his passing in 1991. In later life, Kiyosaki would mock those who invested time in earning a Ph.D., indirectly referencing his father’s struggles with poverty and unemployment during his final years. Robert completed high school in 1965.

After graduating from high school, Kiyosaki enrolled at Naval College and subsequently joined the U.S. Marine Corps after his brother enlisted in the Air Force to serve in the Vietnam War. He became a helicopter gunship pilot and served in Vietnam from 1972 to 1973. Kiyosaki has highlighted that his experience as a U.S. Marine contributed significantly to his character development, which he attributes to his later success in business.

Following his service in Vietnam, Kiyosaki attended college in Hilo, Hawaii, where he earned an MBA, marking his initial foray into the business realm. He began his career as a sales associate for Xerox until 1968, when he launched his first business venture.

Early Attempts at Entrepreneurship

Kiyosaki’s initial business endeavor involved selling nylon and velcro wallets, which were among the first of their type, achieving moderate success before ultimately going bankrupt. His next pursuit was a retail business focused on t-shirt sales, where he acquired licensing rights to produce merchandise for various rock bands, including hats, wallets, and bags. Unfortunately, this business also ended in bankruptcy. By 1980, Robert began to concentrate more on education.

Early Educational Businesses

Kiyosaki’s entry into the education sector commenced with the formation of the Accelerated Learning Institute, marking his initial venture into business education, along with a commitment to teaching students about social responsibility. He established this company in 1985 and sold it in 1994.

In the mid-1990s, Kiyosaki began to cultivate an educational empire that ultimately led him to financial success. The journey began with the publication of his first book: “If You Want to Be Rich and Happy, Don’t Go to School.” As implied by the title, the book offered a critical perspective on conventional education.

As a means to success, the significance of college education was challenged, with encouragement for readers to actively consider involvement in real estate instead. At that time, Robert and his second wife were deeply engaged in real estate activities themselves.

A pivotal moment in his career occurred in 1997 when Kiyosaki established Cashflow Technologies, Inc. This company was responsible for managing and operating the “Rich Dad” brand, among others. That same year, Robert released his most renowned book, “Rich Dad Poor Dad.”

“Rich Dad Poor Dad”

Originally self-published, the book has achieved sales exceeding 32 million copies. Following its rise in popularity, it was embraced by significant publishers, remaining on the “New York Times” Best Sellers list for over six years. Additionally, sales surged after a mention on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Undoubtedly, the release of the book propelled Kiyosaki’s career, granting him recognition and financial success.

The narrative centers around two fathers: one being financially challenged, while the other attains wealth through smart investments and entrepreneurship. Robert later discloses that the “rich dad” is a fictional character, whereas the “poor dad” is reportedly based on his actual father. “Rich Dad Poor Dad” offers a range of financial insights, including those related to entrepreneurship and real estate.

Despite its commercial triumph, the book has faced various criticisms. A primary concern is the lack of documented evidence for the financial success stories attributed to Kiyosaki. No evidence has surfaced to support his claims regarding the financial accomplishments discussed within the book. Moreover, critics have pointed out the general vagueness of the book and its critique of American culture. Robert has clarified that the book was designed not as a concrete financial guide but as a motivational inspiration.

Later Books

Following the success of “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” Kiyosaki authored numerous additional titles. These include “Cashflow Quadrant: Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Freedom,” alongside co-authored works with Donald Trump, like “Why We Want You to be Rich: Two Men, One Message.” Recent works consist of 2020’s “Who Stole My Pension?: How You Can Stop The Looting,” 2022’s “Capitalist Manifesto: Money for Nothing – Gold, Silver, and Bitcoin For Free,” and 2023’s “Ravens: How To Prepare For And Profit From The Turbulent Times Ahead.” Overall, Kiyosaki has released 26 books, selling over 41 million copies globally.

Seminars

Kiyosaki’s business strategy extends beyond writing, focusing also on seminars. Often led by various experts through a franchise-style model, these seminars range from free sessions to those charging hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Criticism

Over the years, Robert has faced significant criticism. Numerous attendees assert that his seminars lack solid, actionable information. Kiyosaki has also ventured into multi-level marketing, with some of his books and seminars promoting questionable or even illegal activities, like insider trading or advising students to leave college. Additionally, his company suggested investing in real estate in 2007, just prior to the economic downturn in 2008.

Company Bankruptcy

In 2012, due to a series of class-action lawsuits, Kiyosaki’s company, Rich Global LLC, declared bankruptcy. Legal actions taken by seminar attendees, who believed they were misled, as well as disputes over royalties led to this downfall. Following unfavorable court outcomes, the company faced significant financial difficulties, prompting Kiyosaki to opt for bankruptcy. He was mandated to pay nearly $24 million to The Learning Annex and its founder.