The invention discloses a lithium cobalt phosphate-coated lithium-rich positive electrode material and a preparation method thereof, and belongs to the technical field of a lithium ion battery. The material comprises a lithium-rich material and lithium cobalt phosphate, wherein the lithium cobalt phosphate is coated on a surface of the lithium-rich material, the chemical formula of the material isLiCoPO4----Li<1.2>Mn<0.54>Ni<0.13>Co<0.13>O<2>, the structure is a layered Alpha-NaFeO2 structure, a layered space group is R<3>m, and the mass percent of the lithium cobalt phosphate accounts for 3-7%. By coating a surface of a lithium-rich positive electrode with amorphous LiCoPO4, the surface structural stability of the material is improved, meanwhile, extra discharging capacity can be provided, the initial coulombic efficiency of the coated material reaches 84.14%, the discharge specific capacity under 0.1C current reaches 305.95mAh/g, particularly, the cycle property of a sample after being coated can be greatly improved, and the capacity retention rate after circulation for 100 times under 1C rate is 88.2% much higher than 72.3% of a sample which is not coated. The preparation method is simple, the surface structure is improved (direct contact with an electrolyte is reduced, and Mn dissolution is suppressed), and the material has high discharge capacity and excellent rate performance and cycle property.