'Rich Dad Poor Dad' author Robert Kiyosaki is $1.2 billion in debt. But he isn't worried
Kiyosaki's approach involves borrowing against properties as their values increase, allowing him to access capital without selling the underlying assets
- Sep 2, 2026,
- Updated Sep 2, 2026 5:43 PM IST
Robert Kiyosaki, author of the bestselling personal-finance book Rich Dad Poor Dad, has amassed around $1.2 billion in debt tied to his real-estate investments.
The 79-year-old financial author has repeatedly highlighted the figure while arguing that wealthy investors use debt differently from ordinary borrowers. Speaking on the Get Rich Education podcast, Kiyosaki said: “So, I’m a billion two in debt. Should not do what I do, right? But I studied it since 1974. If you’re going to learn to use debt, you’d better take some education.”
READ THIS: 'Affordable today, distress tomorrow': ISB professor's warning for Indian home loan borrowers
Debt linked to 1,500 apartment units
The $1.2 billion figure, however, does not mean Kiyosaki personally owes that entire amount. His former wife and business partner, Kim Kiyosaki, told Vanity Fair that the debt is largely connected to a portfolio of properties owned with partners.
“We have a lot of apartment houses with our partners. So technically, yes, we have all this debt,” Kim Kiyosaki said in the podcast.
The portfolio reportedly contains around 1,500 apartment units. Vanity Fair estimated that Kiyosaki's personal portion of the debt could be between $30 million and $60 million, based on his reported income.
His ‘Good Debt’ strategy
Kiyosaki's approach involves borrowing against properties as their values increase, allowing him to access capital without selling the underlying assets.
The New York Post reported that he also places individual investments into separate limited liability companies to help isolate risks.
Explaining his approach to Vanity Fair, Kiyosaki said: “If it all comes to hell, you can talk to my attorney. Firewalls that’s the way the rich play the game.”
He has long promoted the distinction between “good debt,” which is used to acquire income-generating assets, and debt used for consumption.
ALSO READ: 'Indian debt resolution justice...': Vijay Mallya takes a swipe after Subhash Chandra's settlement
Experts warn about risks
While some real-estate investors consider property-backed leverage a common strategy, experts have warned that borrowing at such a scale can become dangerous if property values or cash flows decline.
John Poole, founder of JPTD Partners, told the New York Post: “I think there’s good debt and there’s bad debt, and then there’s $1.2 billion of debt, which you better know exactly what in the world you’re doing.”
He added: “Leverage works beautifully on the way up, and if it’s not continuing on that way up, then it’s like a chainsaw financially coming down.”
Robert Kiyosaki, author of the bestselling personal-finance book Rich Dad Poor Dad, has amassed around $1.2 billion in debt tied to his real-estate investments.
The 79-year-old financial author has repeatedly highlighted the figure while arguing that wealthy investors use debt differently from ordinary borrowers. Speaking on the Get Rich Education podcast, Kiyosaki said: “So, I’m a billion two in debt. Should not do what I do, right? But I studied it since 1974. If you’re going to learn to use debt, you’d better take some education.”
READ THIS: 'Affordable today, distress tomorrow': ISB professor's warning for Indian home loan borrowers
Debt linked to 1,500 apartment units
The $1.2 billion figure, however, does not mean Kiyosaki personally owes that entire amount. His former wife and business partner, Kim Kiyosaki, told Vanity Fair that the debt is largely connected to a portfolio of properties owned with partners.
“We have a lot of apartment houses with our partners. So technically, yes, we have all this debt,” Kim Kiyosaki said in the podcast.
The portfolio reportedly contains around 1,500 apartment units. Vanity Fair estimated that Kiyosaki's personal portion of the debt could be between $30 million and $60 million, based on his reported income.
His ‘Good Debt’ strategy
Kiyosaki's approach involves borrowing against properties as their values increase, allowing him to access capital without selling the underlying assets.
The New York Post reported that he also places individual investments into separate limited liability companies to help isolate risks.
Explaining his approach to Vanity Fair, Kiyosaki said: “If it all comes to hell, you can talk to my attorney. Firewalls that’s the way the rich play the game.”
He has long promoted the distinction between “good debt,” which is used to acquire income-generating assets, and debt used for consumption.
ALSO READ: 'Indian debt resolution justice...': Vijay Mallya takes a swipe after Subhash Chandra's settlement
Experts warn about risks
While some real-estate investors consider property-backed leverage a common strategy, experts have warned that borrowing at such a scale can become dangerous if property values or cash flows decline.
John Poole, founder of JPTD Partners, told the New York Post: “I think there’s good debt and there’s bad debt, and then there’s $1.2 billion of debt, which you better know exactly what in the world you’re doing.”
He added: “Leverage works beautifully on the way up, and if it’s not continuing on that way up, then it’s like a chainsaw financially coming down.”