The Vault Expert — Robert Kiyosaki: Service, Sacrifice and the Meaning of Freedom

Tuesday Night Interview | Robert Kiyosaki, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran & Bestselling Author of Rich Dad Poor Dad.

On this episode of The Vault Expert, Patti Katter welcomes Robert Kiyosaki for a candid conversation about military service, sacrifice, financial independence, and the meaning of freedom.

Best known for Rich Dad Poor Dad, Kiyosaki shares the experiences that shaped his life—from growing up in Hawaii and attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy to leaving a high-paying maritime career to become a Marine Corps helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.

He recounts surviving three helicopter crashes, the bonds formed in combat, and the devastating realities of war. In one particularly moving memory, he recalls transporting casualties to a field hospital and receiving a salute from a military nurse—an encounter that stayed with him for decades.

Kiyosaki also reflects on the challenges of returning home to a country divided over Vietnam. He shares a lesson from his commanding officer: defending freedom includes protecting the rights of people whose opinions and actions you strongly oppose. His reflections extend to returning to Vietnam to seek reconciliation and recognizing veterans whose sacrifices are too often overlooked.

The conversation also explores:

• Financial education: How two very different father figures influenced his understanding of money, entrepreneurship, and wealth building—and how Monopoly introduced him to real estate investing.

• Honoring veterans: His involvement with the National Veterans Day Parade in Washington, D.C., and his appreciation for fellow veterans, especially military nurses and women who served during wartime.

• Freedom and society: His personal perspectives on education, taxation, political leadership, and constitutional freedoms.

• A message to service members: Encouragement for active-duty personnel and veterans navigating difficult deployments and the transition home.

Join Patti Katter for a conversation that goes beyond financial success to explore the service, resilience, and personal convictions behind one of the world’s best-known financial authors.

The Vault Expert with Patti Katter