Since its publication in 1997, Rich Dad Poor Dad has generated both significant praise and criticism. The critical context surrounding the book encompasses multiple aspects, including its impact on personal finance literature, the controversy over its authenticity, and mixed reviews from financial experts and educators. The book is often credited with shifting the paradigm of personal finance literature, as it introduced unconventional ideas about money management and challenged traditional notions of financial success. This perspective attracted readers to the book, particularly people seeking alternative approaches to building wealth. Moreover, Rich Dad Poor Dad’s enduring popularity and bestseller status have accentuated its influence.

However, the book has also drawn criticism. As a central element of the book’s narrative, Kiyosaki’s accounts of the two father figures have caused critics to question whether his rich dad existed or if he was a fictional character created solely for the purposes of the book. Kiyosaki has been vague about his rich dad’s identity, leading to further skepticism. In 2000, Kiyosaki confirmed in an interview that rich dad is real but cited an agreement to keep his identity a secret (Oi, Cynthia. “Think Rich, Get Rich.