43 pages • 1 hour read
Robert Kiyosaki, Sharon LechterRich Dad Poor Dad
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1997A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Key Figures
Robert Kiyosaki (The Author)
Robert Kiyosaki is the author and narrator of Rich Dad Poor Dad, subsequently serving as the central figure through whom readers gain insights into both financial literacy and wealth-building. Throughout the book, which Kiyosaki initially self-published in 1997, Kiyosaki contrasts the teachings and philosophies of his “poor dad” (his own biological father) and “rich dad” (his best friend Mike’s father). Through his personal experiences and reflections, Kiyosaki conveys the book’s core messages of challenging conventional financial wisdom, embracing financial education, and using money as a tool for financial freedom.
In his application of the rich dad mindset, he represents the transformation of a person from financially uneducated to informed and focused on concepts such as assets and passive income. Since the book’s publication, Kiyosaki has launched a number of related ventures ranging from games to seminars on his teachings. Thus, Kiyosaki’s journey from a young boy with limited financial knowledge to a successful entrepreneur and investor illustrates the potential for one to change their financial future through education and action.
Mike
Mike is Robert Kiyosaki’s neighbor, best friend, and the son of Robert’s rich dad. Mike plays a crucial role in the book as he is the link between Robert and his rich dad, who serves as a mentor to both boys, imparting lessons on financial literacy and the principles of wealth-building. Mike’s willingness to embrace these teachings, applying them in his life in order to highlight the practicality and effectiveness of his father’s philosophy, opens the door for Kiyosaki’s learning. Through Mike’s experiences and discussions with Robert, readers witness the successful implementation of financial education, emphasizing the importance of making money work for you rather than working for money. Moreover, Mike symbolizes the embodiment of the book’s key principles and serves as an inspiration for readers looking to follow a similar path to financial independence.
Poor Dad (Robert Kiyosaki’s Father)
Robert Kiyosaki’s biological father, referred to as “poor dad” in the text, represents the traditional, conventional approach to money and finances. Poor dad is an educated man with a steady job as a teacher who later became a government official in Hawaii. He has a commitment to job security and adheres to the belief in working hard for a paycheck, saving money, and avoiding financial risks. While well-intentioned, Kiyosaki’s poor dad lacks the type of financial education espoused in the book, which the author argues ultimately leads to financial struggles, thus exemplifying the limitations of this mindset. One important aspect about poor dad, however, is the fact that Kiyosaki does not actually present him as someone experiencing literal poverty.
His presence in the book highlights the contrast between conventional financial wisdom and the alternative approach advocated by rich dad.
Rich Dad (Mike’s Father)
“Rich dad” is Mike’s father and Robert Kiyosaki’s mentor. As a successful entrepreneur and investor who possesses advanced financial knowledge, the rich dad represents the book’s core philosophy of using financial education to achieve wealth and financial freedom. Furthermore, his teachings and advice emphasize the importance of acquiring assets, generating passive income, and challenging conventional financial norms. Thus, rich dad serves as a guiding figure in Robert and Mike’s financial journeys, imparting valuable lessons and principles that shape their financial outlook.
His character ultimately exemplifies the potential for financial success through financial literacy and taking calculated risks, which makes him a pivotal figure in the book, as his example illustrates the power of financial education as seen through the pursuit of financial independence.
