Who is Robert Kiyosaki?
Robert Toru Kiyosaki (born April 8, 1947) is an American businessman, author, and motivational speaker. He is best known as the author of the book Rich Dad Poor Dad, which has been translated into more than 51 languages and has sold over 32 million copies worldwide.
Kiyosaki has also written a number of other books on personal finance, including Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant, Rich Dad’s Guide to Investing, and Rich Dad’s Guide to Retirement. He has also founded a number of businesses, including the Rich Dad Company and the Rich Dad Education Center.
Kiyosaki’s philosophy is based on the idea that financial literacy is essential for achieving financial success. He believes that people should learn how to invest and manage their money, and that they should not rely on the government or a traditional job to provide for their financial security.
Kiyosaki’s critics argue that his advice is simplistic and that he is not a credible source of financial information. They also point out that his books have been criticized for promoting get-rich-quick schemes and for encouraging people to take on excessive risk.
Despite the criticism, Kiyosaki remains a popular figure in the personal finance world. His books have sold millions of copies, and he has a large following on social media. He continues to speak and write about personal finance, and he offers financial education courses through his company, the Rich Dad Company.
II. Early Life
Robert Kiyosaki was born on April 8, 1947, in Hilo, Hawaii. His father was a doctor and his mother was a teacher. Kiyosaki attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, where he earned a degree in nautical engineering. After graduating from the academy, Kiyosaki served in the U.S. Navy for five years.
After leaving the Navy, Kiyosaki began working as a salesman. He eventually started his own business, which he sold for a profit. Kiyosaki then went on to found several other businesses, all of which were successful.
III. Career
Kiyosaki began his career as an investment banker in the 1970s. He later founded several businesses, including a real estate investment company and a financial education company. He is best known for his book “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” which has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. In the book, Kiyosaki argues that the rich are not necessarily smarter than the poor, but they have different financial philosophies. He encourages people to invest in assets that produce cash flow, such as real estate, and to avoid debt.
IV. Personal Life
Kiyosaki has been married four times and has two children. His first wife was Kimiko. They divorced in 1986. His second wife was Sharon Lechter. They divorced in 1992. His third wife was Linda. They divorced in 2014. His fourth wife is Kim. They married in 2014.
Kiyosaki has two children, a son and a daughter. His son, Robert Jr., is a businessman and author. His daughter, Kimberly, is a musician.
Kiyosaki lives in Phoenix, Arizona. He owns a number of businesses, including a real estate investment company and a financial education company.
Kiyosaki’s Philosophy
Kiyosaki’s philosophy on personal finance is based on the idea that there are two types of people in the world:
- “Rich Dad”
- “Poor Dad”
“Rich Dad” is someone who is financially literate and understands how to make money work for them. They are not afraid to take risks and invest in their future.
“Poor Dad” is someone who is not financially literate and does not understand how to make money work for them. They are afraid of taking risks and often live paycheck to paycheck.
Kiyosaki believes that the key to financial success is to learn from “Rich Dad” and to avoid the mistakes of “Poor Dad.” He encourages people to invest in their education, to start their own businesses, and to live below their means.
Kiyosaki’s philosophy has been criticized by some for being too simplistic and for promoting get-rich-quick schemes. However, his books have sold millions of copies worldwide and have inspired many people to change their financial lives.
VI. Criticism
Kiyosaki’s work has been criticized for being inaccurate, misleading, and promoting get-rich-quick schemes. Some critics have accused him of being a “snake oil salesman” and a “fraud.”
In a 2005 article for the New York Times, journalist John Stossel criticized Kiyosaki’s book Rich Dad Poor Dad for being “full of inaccuracies, distortions, and outright lies.” Stossel argued that Kiyosaki’s advice was not based on sound financial principles, and that he was misleading readers into believing that they could get rich quickly by investing in real estate.
In a 2010 article for the Washington Post, financial columnist Michelle Singletary criticized Kiyosaki’s book Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant for being “a dangerous book that could lead people to financial ruin.” Singletary argued that Kiyosaki’s advice was not only inaccurate, but it could also lead people to make poor financial decisions.
Despite the criticism, Kiyosaki’s books continue to sell well, and he remains a popular figure in the personal finance world.
VII. Legacy
Robert Kiyosaki’s work has had a significant impact on the personal finance landscape. His books have sold millions of copies and have been translated into dozens of languages. He has also been a frequent guest on talk shows and has given speeches all over the world.
Kiyosaki’s work has been praised for its ability to demystify financial concepts and provide practical advice for people of all ages. He has also been criticized for his promotion of get-rich-quick schemes and his unrealistic financial advice.
Despite the criticism, Kiyosaki’s work has had a lasting impact on the personal finance landscape. He has helped to raise awareness of the importance of financial literacy and has inspired many people to take control of their financial future.
VIII. Bibliography
* Rich Dad Poor Dad (1997)
* Cashflow Quadrant (2000)
* Rich Dad’s Retire Early (2002)
* Rich Dad’s Business School (2003)
* Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Freedom (2005)
* Rich Dad’s Success Secrets (2006)
* Rich Dad’s Ask Questions, Get Answers (2007)
* Rich Dad’s Retire Rich (2008)
* Rich Dad’s Legacy (2012)
* Rich Dad’s Guide to Raising Entrepeneurs (2014)
* Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Intelligence (2016)
* Rich Dad’s Guide to Retire Early (2018)
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[3] “Robert Kiyosaki – Biography”. Biography.com. A&E Networks, 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-08 from
[4] “Robert Kiyosaki – Quotes”. Goodreads. Goodreads, 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-08 from