“Rich Dad Poor Dad” author Robert Kiyosaki frequently criticizes the federal banking system and recommends investing in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) and precious metals like gold and silver.
The personal finance author, who built a fortune preaching wealth management, is now facing scrutiny over reports of him being under debt.
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Kiyosaki under debt
As reported earlier, Kiyosaki disclosed in a podcast in June that he has a debt of $1.2 billion. However, his ex-wife and long-time business partner Kim Kiyosaki told Vanity Fair in a recent profile that the $1.2 billion figure doesn’t represent his personal unsecured debt. Instead, the figure is spread across real estate investments held with partners.
As per Vanity Fair’s estimate, Kiyosaki’s personal debt share could be $30 million-$60 million. The debt pile is part of the personal finance author’s investment strategy of borrowing against assets that appreciate in value instead of emptying the bank account.
Trending on TheStreet Roundtable:
Kiyosaki recalls buying Bitcoin for $400
On Sep. 5, Kiyosaki wrote a long Facebook post in which he recalled paying only $400 to buy one Bitcoin. Though it has declined $40,000 below its peak, it is still worth over $20,000, he wrote.
The figures are incorrect. Bitcoin hit its peak of $126,080 on Oct. 6, 2025, and is currently trading around $80,000. It means the current price is more than $45,000 lower than the peak.
Nonetheless, Kiyosaki’s broader argument about Bitcoin’s wild appreciation over the years, despite the recent crash, holds true. But he said he wants his followers to focus on buying an asset at an opportune time rather than investing abruptly.
Many crypto investors who purchased at market peak are still underwater on their holdings. Instead, one should keep investing small amounts, enter the market at an early phase, and hold digital assets in a planned manner, he recommended.
However, Kiyosaki’s latest Facebook post on Bitcoin investment drew comments critical of his debt position. Followers kept asking him to address the “$1.2 billion” debt in the post’s comments section.
Disclosure: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Cryptocurrency investments are highly volatile and risky. Always conduct your own research before making any investment decisions.
Related: Cathie Wood buys surging crypto stock despite latest controversy
This story was originally published by TheStreet on Sep 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the MARKETS section. Add TheStreet as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
