Net Worth Ranker
What Is Robert Kiyosaki’s Net Worth?
Robert Kiyosaki, an American investor, businessman, author, motivational speaker, and financial commentator, boasts a net worth of approximately $100 million. This valuation reflects his success in various entrepreneurial pursuits and his prominent role in the personal finance education sphere.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born Robert Toru Kiyosaki on April 8, 1947, in Hilo, Territory of Hawaii, Robert’s upbringing as a 4th-generation Japanese-American (“Yonsei”) played a role in shaping his perspectives. His father, Ralph Kiyosaki, held a Ph.D. and worked as an educator until his death in 1991. This detail is significant as Kiyosaki later critiqued the traditional academic path in favor of entrepreneurial endeavors.
After graduating high school in 1965, Kiyosaki attended Naval College and subsequently joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his brother’s enlistment in the Air Force for service in the Vietnam War, Robert became a helicopter gunship pilot, serving in Vietnam from 1972 to 1973. Kiyosaki has emphasized that his military service instilled in him the strength of character that he believes was essential for his subsequent success in the business world.
Post-Vietnam, Kiyosaki pursued an MBA and then entered the corporate world, working as a sales associate for Xerox until 1968. This experience marked his initial foray into business before embarking on his own entrepreneurial journey. While the duration of his employment at Xerox isn’t precisely documented, it provided him with foundational sales experience relevant to his future ventures.
Entrepreneurial Ventures and Financial Education
Kiyosaki’s initial business endeavors involved selling nylon/Velcro wallets. While innovative, this venture ultimately faced bankruptcy, highlighting the challenges of early-stage entrepreneurship. His second attempt involved a retail company specializing in t-shirts, securing licensing rights to produce apparel for rock bands, including hats, wallets, and bags. However, this enterprise also concluded in bankruptcy. While specific sales figures for either venture are unavailable, they served as crucial learning experiences that informed his later, more successful business endeavors. It should be noted, that the exact year that the nylon/Velcro wallets business went bankrupt is not readily available.
In 1985, Kiyosaki shifted his focus to education, establishing the Accelerated Learning Institute, which also focused on educating students on social responsibility. He sold this company in 1994. The details on the terms and specific financials related to the sale of the Accelerated Learning Institute in 1994 remain private.
The mid-1990s marked a pivotal period as Kiyosaki began building his financial education empire. This involved the publishing of his first book, “If You Want to Be Rich and Happy, Don’t Go to School.” The book was critical of college education as a pathway to success and encouraged readers to become involved in real estate instead.
A crucial milestone occurred in 1997 with the founding of Cashflow Technologies, Inc. This company became the operational hub for the “Rich Dad” brand and other financial education initiatives. Simultaneously, Kiyosaki self-published his most famous book, “Rich Dad Poor Dad.” The initial print run and marketing budget for “Rich Dad Poor Dad” are not publicly available, but the book’s subsequent success dramatically altered Kiyosaki’s financial trajectory.
“Rich Dad Poor Dad” and Subsequent Publications
“Rich Dad Poor Dad” achieved phenomenal success, selling over 32 million copies and securing a place on the “New York Times” Best Sellers list for over six years. While precise sales figures for each year are not publicly available, the book’s sustained presence on the bestseller list indicates consistent high sales volume. The book was about two fathers, one of whom is poor while the other has accumulated wealth after intelligent investments and entrepreneurship. Later, Robert reveals the “rich dad” to be a fictional character, while the “poor dad” is allegedly based on his own father. The appearance on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” further amplified sales, although the exact impact in terms of units sold isn’t precisely quantifiable. The book launched Kiyosaki’s career, earning him fame and financial success.
Following “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” Kiyosaki authored numerous other books, including “Cashflow Quadrant: Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Freedom” and collaborations with Donald Trump, such as “Why We Want You to be Rich: Two Men, One Message.” More recent publications include 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.” In total, Kiyosaki has published 26 books that have sold more than 41 million copies worldwide.
Seminars, Criticism, and Company Bankruptcy
Kiyosaki’s business model extends beyond books to include seminars, often conducted by other experts through a franchise-like arrangement. These seminars vary in cost, ranging from free introductory sessions to more intensive courses costing hundreds or even tens of thousands of dollars. The revenue generated from these seminars has been a significant component of Kiyosaki’s overall income, although specific figures are not publicly disclosed. These seminars have been criticized for not providing concrete information.
Over the years, Kiyosaki has faced considerable criticism. Some critics allege that his seminars lack concrete information and that he has been involved in multi-level marketing schemes. Some of his books and seminars have advocated questionable or even illegal actions, such as insider trading or dropping out of college. His company also recommended investing in real estate in 2007, shortly before the economic recession of 2008. The extent to which these criticisms impacted his net worth is difficult to quantify precisely.
In 2012, Kiyosaki’s company, Rich Global LLC, filed for bankruptcy following a series of class-action lawsuits. These lawsuits stemmed from allegations by seminar attendees who claimed they were scammed and royalty disputes. A court ruling ordered Kiyosaki to pay nearly $24 million to The Learning Annex and its founder. The bankruptcy of Rich Global LLC undoubtedly impacted Kiyosaki’s net worth, though he has since continued his activities through other business entities. The specific amount lost due to the bankruptcy, beyond the $24 million judgment, isn’t publicly detailed. The number of attendees who sued and the exact amount they sought is not readily available.
