Robert T. Kiyosaki is an American author and entrepreneur widely regarded as one of the most influential voices in modern personal finance writing. Born in Hilo, Hawaii, he built and lost several businesses before rising to international acclaim with his bestselling book Rich Dad Poor Dad, published in 1997, followed by works including Cashflow Quadrant and Rich Dad's Guide to Investing. Drawing on lessons he attributes to his own father and the father of a childhood friend, whom he refers to as his "rich dad," his writing centers on the idea that financial education, asset-building, and entrepreneurship matter more than traditional employment and formal schooling in achieving lasting wealth. Rich Dad Poor Dad became one of the best-selling personal finance books in history, spending years on bestseller lists and expanding into an extensive franchise of books, games, and educational seminars under the Rich Dad brand. Known for challenging conventional wisdom about money, saving, and career paths, his work has built a large, devoted following of readers seeking alternative approaches to building wealth, while some of his specific investment claims and business ventures have drawn scrutiny and criticism over the years. Known for his contrarian, accessible approach to financial education, Kiyosaki's work continues to shape modern personal finance writing and inspire readers across the world.