# The 90% Real Estate Millionaire Claim? Pure Fiction

You've probably heard it a million times: "90% of millionaires made their fortune in real estate." Sounds convincing, right? Here's the problem—the data completely destroys this narrative.

Let's break it down:

**The Numbers Don't Add Up**
- US has ~23M millionaires (6.7% of population)
- Only 66% of Americans own homes
- Of those, just 8.2% are valued over $1M
- Only 5% of Americans own multiple properties

Even if we *gifted* all million-dollar homes to their owners, that's just 5.3% of the population. Nowhere close to 90%.

**So Where Do Millionaires Actually Get Rich?**

Employment. That's it. Either they:
1. Built their own business
2. Climbed the corporate ladder
3. Combined income + smart investing

Real estate can be part of a portfolio, but it's not the wealth-building shortcut real estate gurus want you to believe.

**The Real Recipe for $1M+**
- Consistent income (employment or business)
- Disciplined saving
- Diversified investments (not just real estate)
- Time in the market

Stop chasing the real estate dream. Start with a solid job, build your financial foundation, and invest wisely. That's how wealth actually happens.