Robert Kiyosaki went from selling Velcro wallets at age 30 to appearing on Oprah — here’s his net worth now

Robert Kiyosaki is an author, speaker, and investor best known for his 1997 bestseller "Rich Dad Poor Dad." He remains a prominent financial commentator, frequently sharing his views on TV networks and social media, where he discusses investing, economic cycles and wealth-building strategies.

Kiyosaki has built his fortune through a mix of ventures that extend beyond book sales, including real estate holdings, educational products, the Cashflow board game and high-paid speaking engagements [1].

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Robert Kiyosaki’s net worth

The most popularly reported figure for Robert Kiyosaki’s net worth is $100 million by Celebrity Net Worth, but this figure is debatable and the media outlet does not reveal its calculation for arriving at that figure. [2]

What does Robert Kiyosaki invest in? Investment strategies and holdings

Robert Kiyosaki takes a contrarian view of investing, rejecting traditional advice and formal education. He believes financial skills are best learned outside the classroom and calls college a waste of time and money.

It’s not clear exactly which specific funds Kiyosaki has in his personal portfolio. However, he promotes owning real estate, precious metals and, more recently, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Kiyosaki distrusts government fiscal and monetary policy and warns against investing in stocks or bonds, famously saying, “I don’t own oil company stocks, I own oil wells.” His strategy centers on owning real assets that produce income or hold value during economic instability [3].

In November 2023, Kiyosaki said on an Instagram reel that he was $1.2 billion in debt [4], but he insisted that debt was backed by assets.

Salary info

Robert Kiyosaki does not receive a traditional annual salary. Instead, his income stems from a diversified and complex array of revenue streams [5]:

Royalties and licensing: He earns income from his "Rich Dad Poor Dad" book series and related products, including the Cashflow board game and other educational materials. Public speaking and coaching: He generates income from books, courses, coaching, speaking appearances, investments and one-on-one coaching, often conducted under his Rich Dad brand umbrella. Investments and tangible assets: He holds investments in real estate, precious metals (like gold and silver) and cryptocurrencies, which generate passive income and may appreciate over time.

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Because these income sources vary due to speaking schedules and investment performance, they cannot be boiled down to a single “salary,” making overall income amounts speculative.

Read more: Rich, young Americans are ditching stocks — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead

Key milestones in Robert Kiyosaki’s career

First venture: Rippers (early 1980s). At age 30, Kiyosaki launched Rippers, a company selling nylon Velcro wallets popular with surfers in Hawaii [6]. The business marked his entry into entrepreneurship. Breakthrough: "Rich Dad Poor Dad" (1997). After early business failures and work as a motivational speaker, Kiyosaki self-published Rich Dad Poor Dad, which became a global bestseller and laid the foundation for his career as a financial educator.hamdi bendali/Shutterstock

Expansion: The Rich Dad Company and Cashflow board game (late 1990s). Kiyosaki co-founded The Rich Dad Company with his wife, Kim, and launched the Cashflow board game to teach financial literacy concepts. Mainstream success: Warner Books deal and media appearances (2000s). "Rich Dad Poor Dad" was reissued by Warner Books, reaching millions of readers worldwide. Kiyosaki became a regular guest on TV programs, including Oprah, Fox News, and PBS specials, cementing his place in financial media. Alternative assets advocacy (2010s to present). Kiyosaki has been a vocal supporter of gold, silver and Bitcoin, often warning about U.S. economic instability and rejecting traditional stock investing.

Robert Kiyosaki’s financial life is as unconventional as the advice he shares. From failed ventures to the runaway success of Rich Dad Poor Dad, he has built a career on challenging mainstream thinking about money. His income streams show how he practices the principles he preaches. Love him or disagree with him, Kiyosaki’s focus on cash flow, real assets and financial independence has kept him a visible and influential figure in the world of personal finance.

What to read next

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Article sources

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[1]. Rich Dad. “Robert T. Kiyosaki”

[2]. Celebrity Net Worth. "Robert Kiyosaki Net Worth"

[3]. Economic Times. "Why Warren Buffett, Jim Rogers are ditching stocks & bonds? Rich Dad Poor Dad author Robert Kiyosaki explains"

[4]. Instagram. "Robert Kiyosaki — I use debt as money & don’t save cash… THIS is why"

[5]. Investopedia. "Robert Kiyosaki: The Man Behind ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’"

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

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