The shy billionaire, who created the energy drink company in 1984, was considered in 2022 by Forbes magazine as Austria’s first fortune.
Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, founder of energy drink company Red Bull, has died at the age of 78, the company announced late Saturday evening in a statement. “We inform you that Dietrich Mateschitz passed away today“Wrote management in an email to employees, expressing its”sadness” and of her “gratitude for what he has accomplished“. According to the Austrian agency APA, he died of cancer.
Born on May 20, 1944, Dietrich Mateschitz created Red Bull – “red bullin English – in 1984, after discovering the drink at the bar of a Hong Kong hotel. This shy personality was considered in 2022 by Forbes magazine as the first fortune of Austria, estimated at 27.4 billion euros.
From extreme sports to Formula 1
The entrepreneur had bet on sports sponsorship so as not to depend solely on the income generated by his energy drink as much as to offer him unparalleled exposure. In thirty years, the firm has become an essential partner of world sport, from extreme sports to Formula 1, via football.
Christian Horner, boss of the Red Bull team in F1, reacted immediately from Austin (Texas) where the United States Grand Prix is held on Sunday. “This is very, very sad, what a great man. It is one of a kind. What he has accomplished and what he has done for so many around the world is second to none“, he said to the press.
“Many of us have to be grateful to him for the opportunities he provided, the vision he had, the strength of character. And never be afraid to follow your dreams and chase them“, he added.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also said:deeply saddened»paying homage to “a highly respected and much loved member of the Formula 1 family“. “He was an incredible visionary entrepreneur and a man who helped transform our sport and create the world famous Red Bull brand.“, he underlined.