Robert Kiyosaki Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Robert Kiyosaki’s Net Worth: What Is It?

An American investor, businessman, author, motivational speaker, and financial commentator, Robert Kiyosaki boasts a net worth of $100 million. Gaining widespread fame through his book “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” which has become a foundational text in personal finance, Kiyosaki’s career includes a variety of entrepreneurial endeavors fueled by a commitment to financial education. His views are shaped by the contrasting experiences with two father figures: his biological father, who adhered to traditional academic and work paths, and his friend’s father, who achieved entrepreneurial success and imparted financial wisdom.

The publication of “Rich Dad Poor Dad” in 1997 marked the beginning of Kiyosaki’s transformation into an international bestseller, leading to a number of titles under the “Rich Dad” brand. These works emphasize financial independence, investing, real estate, and the significance of financial literacy, frequently critiquing conventional employment and income concepts. Kiyosaki’s impact goes beyond writing as he engages in numerous business ventures and educational projects, advocating for practical financial instruction. While facing some contention and critiques—particularly concerning his “Rich Dad” seminars—Kiyosaki continues to be a significant presence in personal finance and wealth creation.

Early Life

Born on April 8, 1947, in Hilo, Territory of Hawaii, Robert Kiyosaki was given the name Robert Toru Kiyosaki. He is a 4th-generation Japanese-American, known as a “Yonsei,” and is the child of Ralph and Marjorie Kiyosaki. At the time of his passing in 1991, his father was an educator with a Ph.D. In later years, Kiyosaki openly criticized those who pursued a Ph.D., indirectly targeting his father’s struggles with poverty and unemployment. He completed high school in 1965.

Following high school, Kiyosaki enrolled in Naval College and later joined the U.S. Marine Corps after his brother entered the Air Force to serve in the Vietnam War. He became a helicopter gunship pilot, serving in Vietnam from 1972 to 1973. Kiyosaki credits his U.S. Marine experience with instilling the necessary character to thrive in the business arena.

Post-Vietnam, Kiyosaki attended college in Hilo, Hawaii, where he earned an MBA before embarking on his business journey. His first job was as a sales associate at Xerox until 1968, after which he launched his first enterprise.

Initial Entrepreneurial Ventures

Kiyosaki’s inaugural business involved selling nylon and velcro wallets, which were novel at the time and enjoyed moderate success, although the business ultimately failed. His subsequent endeavor was a retail venture selling t-shirts, where he licensed rights to create merchandise for various rock bands, including hats, wallets, and bags. This venture also ended in bankruptcy. By 1980, Robert redirected his focus toward education.

Initial Educational Enterprises

Robert’s initial engagement in education commenced with the establishment of the Accelerated Learning Institute, which focused on business education while also teaching social responsibility. He founded this company in 1985, selling it in 1994.

In the mid-1990s, Kiyosaki began constructing the educational framework that would ultimately contribute to his wealth. This began with the release of his first book: “If You Want to Be Rich and Happy, Don’t Go to School.” The book’s premise critiques the notion that college education leads to success and encourages readers to engage with real estate instead. At this stage, Robert and his second wife were heavily involved in real estate themselves.

A pivotal moment came in 1997 when Kiyosaki founded Cashflow Technologies, Inc., a financial education entity that would manage the “Rich Dad” brand among others. In the same year, he published his most popular book, “Rich Dad Poor Dad.”

“Rich Dad Poor Dad”

Having sold over 32 million copies, “Rich Dad Poor Dad” was initially self-published and gained traction, eventually being picked up by major publishers. It remained on the “New York Times” Best Sellers list for over six years, with sales bolstered after being featured on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” This book undeniably marked the beginning of Kiyosaki’s public career, bringing him fame and financial prosperity.

The narrative revolves around two fathers: one poor and the other wealthy due to smart investments and entrepreneurial choices. Kiyosaki later disclosed that the “rich dad” is fictional, while the “poor dad” draws inspiration from his own father. The book imparts several financial lessons, including insights related to real estate and business initiation.

Despite its commercial success, the book has faced various criticisms. A notable concern is the lack of documented evidence surrounding the financial success stories Kiyosaki presents, leaving many questioning his claims of personal financial accomplishments. Furthermore, critics argue that the book is overly vague and mocks American culture. Kiyosaki later clarified that his intention was not to provide a roadmap for financial success but to serve as a source of motivation.

Subsequent Publications

Following “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” Kiyosaki has authored numerous additional books, including “Cashflow Quadrant: Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Freedom,” and co-authored works with Donald Trump, such as “Why We Want You to be Rich: Two Men, One Message.” His more recent titles include “Who Stole My Pension?: How You Can Stop The Looting” (2020), “Capitalist Manifesto: Money for Nothing – Gold, Silver, and Bitcoin For Free” (2022), and “Ravens: How To Prepare For And Profit From The Turbulent Times Ahead” (2023). Altogether, Kiyosaki has published 26 books totaling over 41 million copies sold worldwide.

Seminars

Besides writing, Kiyosaki’s business model largely relies on seminars. Typically conducted by other professionals through a franchise-like structure, some of these seminars are offered for free, whereas others can cost hundreds or even tens of thousands of dollars.

Criticism

Over the years, Robert has garnered substantial criticism, with many asserting that his seminars lack substantial, actionable content. Additionally, Kiyosaki has been linked to multi-level marketing practices.

Some of the seminars and books authored by him have proposed actions that could be considered dubious or even unlawful, including insider trading and the suggestion to drop out of college. Additionally, in 2007, his company promoted real estate investments, just before the onset of the economic downturn in 2008.

Company Bankruptcy

In 2012, bankruptancy struck Kiyosaki’s firm, Rich Global LLC, following a wave of class-action lawsuits. Attendees of his seminars, who claimed they were deceived, took legal action against the company. There were also lawsuits related to royalty disagreements. The unfavorable court outcomes devastated the company, compelling Kiyosaki to declare bankruptcy. He was required to pay approximately $24 million to The Learning Annex and its founder.