FX168 Financial News Agency (Asia-Pacific) reported that before gaining fame or fortune, Robert Kiyosaki, the author of 'Rich Dad Poor Dad,' quietly made a decision at the age of 18: to buy silver. Years later, he further positioned himself by smuggling gold — a choice he said transformed how he accumulated wealth outside the system.
(Screenshot source: Bitcoin.com)
Personal finance educator Robert Kiyosaki shared on the social media platform X last week about how his investment journey began and explained why he believes that during major economic downturns, survival is determined by taking early action rather than relying on institutional reassurances or guarantees.
'Rich Dad Poor Dad' has been a global bestseller for decades, translated into dozens of languages, and is credited with transforming the financial literacy and wealth education of millions of people.
The renowned author stated, "In 1965, when I was 18, I started storing 'real silver coins.' Today, I have a lot of real silver coins."
Kiyosaki elaborated on why he began accumulating silver after the U.S. government removed silver from circulating coins, which he believed turned those coins into 'counterfeit money.' Starting in the mid-1960s, as rising silver prices led to hoarding, the government gradually phased out silver from most coins, replacing nickels and dimes with copper-nickel alloys and later removing silver from half-dollars.
Kiyosaki indicated that his actions were driven by personal choice, preferring to hold what he considered 'real money' rather than rely on policy changes by authorities.
This renowned writer explained that the same mindset led him to invest in gold during the monetary turmoil of the early 1970s. He wrote, "In 1971, President Nixon severed the dollar's link to gold. Gold prices began to fluctuate dramatically, and the global economy fell into a debt crisis." The following year, he put this idea into action.
He said, "In 1972, I bought my first South African Krugerrand gold coin for $50. I had to smuggle that coin because it was illegal for Americans to hold gold at the time."
He described this purchase as a deliberate move to place assets beyond government control and noted that his investment in gold has continued for decades.
Kiyosaki added, "Today, I store both gold and silver in Switzerland for emergencies. By December 10, 2025, the same Krugerrand coin will be worth approximately $4,500." He believes this increase demonstrates how shifts in the monetary system benefit long-term holders of hard assets.
Kiyosaki links this long-term shift in monetary policy to today's global debt and economic pressures. He writes, 'The United States and Japan are now heavily indebted nations.'
He also issues a warning to households, stating, 'American consumers are burdened by heavy debts, including mortgages, student loans, and credit card debt. The number of homeless people is surging… even those with jobs are being displaced because they cannot afford rent.'
The author of 'Rich Dad Poor Dad' emphasizes that financial collapses are the result of decades of gradual accumulation rather than occurring without warning. He cautions that reliance on wages, pensions, or bank savings can leave individuals vulnerable during deteriorating economic conditions.
This perspective underpins his recommendation to hold gold, silver, and Bitcoin. He views Bitcoin as a form of currency operating outside the traditional banking system and urges investors to educate themselves and prepare before confidence in fiat currencies weakens.
Rich Dad Poor Dad, co-authored by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter in 1997, has sold over 32 million copies in more than 51 languages across 109 countries and remained on The New York Times bestseller list for over six years.
