According to reports from The New York Post, Robert Kiyosaki disclosed he owes $1.2 billion in debt, primarily secured against apartment buildings rather than the Bitcoin and gold investments he promotes to millions of followers. The debt structure involves borrowing shared with partners across approximately 1,500 apartment units. Kiyosaki has repeated this figure throughout the summer, most recently on the Get Rich Education podcast, stating 'I'm a billion two in debt.'
As reported by The New York Post, Kim Kiyosaki, his former wife and business partner, estimates his personal exposure at $30 million to $60 million, significantly below the headline figure. This assessment is based on working backward from his claimed $3 million in annual income. The debt mechanics involve ordinary multifamily finance where buildings appreciate and owners refinance, with cash arriving untaxed because nothing is sold. Each property operates within its own limited liability company (LLC), providing isolation from trouble at other properties.
According to The New York Post, John Poole, founder of JPTD Partners consultancy, warned that leverage works well on the way up but becomes problematic when prices stop climbing. The report noted that borrowed money behaves differently once price appreciation ceases. Kiyosaki's portfolio tension emerges because he warns against cheap credit while running a portfolio dependent on credit availability continuing.
As reported by The New York Post, Kiyosaki's Bitcoin and gold holdings are not used as collateral for the apartment loans. His Bitcoin holdings, trading near $77,425 after a 1.8% daily decline, secure none of the mortgages described in the reporting. This creates a tension as he warns against currency devaluation while maintaining investments in the same financial system he criticizes. Historical context includes Rich Global LLC filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2012 after losing a judgment, according to ABC News reports.
