According to a Bloomberg report, Mark Mateschitz, the Austrian billionaire and heir to the Red Bull empire, recently received a substantial $615 million shareholder payout from Red Bull GmbH, the Austrian holding company overseeing the Red Bull network of companies. This significant payment marks his first since inheriting the energy drink giant from his late father, Dietrich Mateschitz, last year.
Dietmar Mateschitz, the controversial Austrian mastermind behind Red Bull, died over the weekend at the age of 78 after a long period of suffering. It had already been known for some time that he had been battling pancreatic cancer. Mateschitz licensed and modified a Thai energy tonic in the 1980s and made it a global brand by sponsoring sports, including professional soccer, Formula One auto racing, snowboarding, and dirt biking. Forbes estimated his net worth at $27 billion.