Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Robert Kiyosaki’s $1.2 Billion Real-Estate Debt Draws Caution
Robert Kiyosaki wrote the book Rich Dad Poor Dad.
He says the real-estate investments connected to him have about $1.2 billion in loans.
That does not necessarily mean he personally owes all of that money.
The loans are connected to about 1,500 apartments owned with business partners.
Kim Kiyosaki says Robert’s estimated personal share may be between $30 million and $60 million.
Kiyosaki borrows against properties when their values rise instead of selling them.
He puts different investments in separate companies to help keep problems in one investment from spreading to others.
One expert says this kind of property borrowing can be normal and useful.
Another warns that falling property values, higher costs, or unavailable refinancing could make the debt dangerous.
Kiyosaki also previously had a company file for bankruptcy after a $24 million judgment.
Robert Kiyosaki says his real-estate investments carry about $1.2 billion in debt.
The debt is linked to roughly 1,500 apartment units owned with multiple partners.
Kim Kiyosaki says Robert’s personal share may be about $30 million to $60 million.
Kiyosaki borrows against rising property equity and places investments in separate LLCs.
Experts disagree over whether the strategy is prudent leverage or a serious refinancing risk.
- Who
- Robert Kiyosaki; his former wife and business partner Kim Kiyosaki; and financial commentators David A. Perez and John Poole.
- What
- Kiyosaki says his real-estate investments carry about $1.2 billion in debt, while reports estimate his personal share at roughly $30 million to $60 million.
- When
- Kiyosaki repeated the $1.2 billion figure on the Get Rich Education podcast over the summer; Kim Kiyosaki discussed it in an August Vanity Fair profile.
- Where
- The debt is tied to roughly 1,500 apartment units, but the articles do not specify their locations.
- Why
- Kiyosaki says he uses debt to acquire income-producing assets, access property equity, and potentially benefit from appreciation.
Supporters of Strategic Leverage
Critics Warning About Debt Risk
Whether property-backed debt is normal
Supporters of Strategic Leverage
David A. Perez described Kiyosaki’s approach as a potentially effective strategy and said large amounts of property-backed debt are common in real estate.
Critics Warning About Debt Risk
John Poole said $1.2 billion in debt requires exceptional financial knowledge and warned that leverage can become severely damaging if property values stop rising.
Borrowing against rising equity
Supporters of Strategic Leverage
Kiyosaki and Perez say borrowing against appreciated property can provide liquidity without selling the asset, while preserving possible future appreciation.
Critics Warning About Debt Risk
Perez acknowledged that more borrowing can increase mortgage and interest costs and reduce cash flow. Poole warned that the strategy cannot depend on refinancing indefinitely.
What the $1.2 billion means
Supporters of Strategic Leverage
Kiyosaki presents the figure as an example of using debt to control income-producing assets, and Kim Kiyosaki says he uses the number to attract attention before explaining his position.
Critics Warning About Debt Risk
Kim Kiyosaki says the figure is not Robert’s personal debt because the loans are spread across jointly owned properties; reported estimates place his personal share at $30 million to $60 million.
Dependence on credit
Supporters of Strategic Leverage
Kiyosaki argues that debt is a tool when it finances income-producing assets and says he has studied its use since 1974.
Critics Warning About Debt Risk
Critics say the strategy becomes vulnerable if banks stop lending, property values decline, or refinancing becomes unavailable. A previous Rich Global LLC bankruptcy is also cited as evidence that his use of leverage has not always ended cleanly.
- Reported debt
- Approximately $1.2 billion tied to Kiyosaki’s real-estate investments
- Property portfolio
- Roughly 1,500 apartment units held with multiple partners
- Estimated personal share
- Approximately $30 million to $60 million, based on reported income estimates
- Reported annual income
- About $3 million, according to Kiyosaki’s self-reported figure
- Borrowing method
- Loans are taken against rising property equity rather than selling the underlying assets
- Investment structure
- Individual investments are placed in separate limited liability companies
- Previous bankruptcy
- Rich Global LLC filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2012 after a $24 million judgment
- Book sales
- Rich Dad Poor Dad has sold more than 44 million copies, according to reports citing Vanity Fair
Sources
'Rich Dad Poor Dad' author Robert Kiyosaki is $1.2 billion in debt. But he isn't worried
‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ self-help author Robert Kiyosaki is $1.2 billion in debt, but...
Is ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ author actually rich? Robert Kiyosaki has $1.2 billion in debt
Robert Kiyosaki’s $1.2 Billion Debt Explained: 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' Author’s Real Estate Strategy Draws Expert Caution
