“Rich Dad Poor Dad” author Robert Kiyosaki has revealed that his real estate investment empire carries about $1.2 billion in debt, underscoring the high-stakes borrowing strategy he has long promoted as a path to wealth.
The 79-year-old financial author made the disclosure during an appearance on the Get Rich Education podcast, where he bluntly stated: “So, I’m a billion two in debt.”
Kiyosaki, however, stressed that his strategy should not be copied blindly, warning that investors must understand how debt works before using borrowed money to acquire assets.
His former wife and business partner, Kim Kiyosaki, subsequently clarified that the $1.2 billion does not represent Robert Kiyosaki’s personal liability.
According to her, the debt is attached largely to their extensive real estate portfolio, which includes roughly 1,500 apartment units held alongside business partners.
“So technically, yes, we have all this debt,” Kim explained, noting that Robert’s personal share is significantly smaller.
Vanity Fair estimated that Kiyosaki’s portion of the debt could be between **$30 million and $60 million, depending on the structure of his investments and reported income.
Rather than selling properties to raise cash, Kiyosaki reportedly borrows against the rising equity in his real estate holdings, allowing him to access funds while retaining ownership of the assets.
He also uses separate limited liability companies (LLCs) to hold investments, a structure designed to shield individual assets when one business encounters financial difficulties.
“If it all comes to hell, you can talk to my attorney,” Kiyosaki reportedly quipped, describing the approach as “the way the rich play the game.”
The strategy, known as leveraging, has divided opinion among financial observers. While proponents argue that responsible borrowing can accelerate wealth creation when backed by income-producing assets, critics warn that massive leverage can quickly become a liability if property values fall, interest costs rise or rental income weakens.
