Dietrich Mateschitz congratulates Sebastian Vettel, who was still driving for Red Bull Racing back then (2011).Image: imago images/Motorsport Images
Dietrich Mateschitz is an entrepreneur, self-made millionaire, by far the richest Austrian and father of the energy drink Red Bull. He made the brand as big as it is today. And yet: His public appearances were and are rare.
He avoided interviews. When he showed up at events, it was his own – at Formula 1, for example, or at games played by his football clubs RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg. He hasn’t been seen at a public event for a year now. Despite being invited, Dietrich “Didi” Mateschitz did not appear at the DTM race at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
Mateschitz rarely appeared in public.Image: imago sport photo service / / JFK
Dietrich “Didi” Mateschitz is said to be seriously ill
This probably has a more serious background, as media reports suggest. According to information from “RTL / ntv”, the 78-year-old is said to be seriously ill. Austrian media also reported on the allegedly poor health of the Austrian. When asked about the reports, Red Bull made a statement to “RTL”, but kept a low profile: “As you know, it has always been important for Mr. Mateschitz to keep his private life away from the public. That hasn’t changed.”
The broadcaster also followed up on Mateschitz’s friend and confidant, Helmut Marko. The message was not confirmed by him either: “No comment, this is a private matter, we do not comment on it.”
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Mateschitz gave Red Bull the wing polish: “Joy in projects”
With an estimated fortune of 26.9 billion US dollars, Didi Mateschitz is by far the richest Austrian. In 1984, the business graduate founded Red Bull GmbH with the Yoovidhya entrepreneurial family from Thailand. He owns 49 percent. He made a crucial contribution to making Red Bull as successful as the brand is today. With his unconventional marketing concept, he achieved a lot. Who doesn’t know the saying “Red Bull gives you wings”?
He also changed the recipe of the energy drink. The mixture of the light and fluffy as well as sporty and cool appearance and the new taste were so well received that the drink became the world market leader in the 80s.
Apparently, the energy drink empire wasn’t enough for the entrepreneur.
Max Verstappen drives for Red Bull Racing. Mateschitz was particularly taken with motorsport.Image: imago images / imago images
With the Red Bull Media House, he entered the world of media and got involved in many areas – especially in sports. But money was never a driving force for him, as the billionaire revealed in one of his rare interviews: “It always came last among the motivating things. For me, the driving force was always freedom and independence and joy in my projects.” He is convinced that joy is the basic requirement for everything you do.
Actually, at Schalke 04 they are not dissatisfied with the start of the Bundesliga season. With one win, three draws and three defeats, the promoted team returned to the Bundesliga with the expected problems. “We improved from the start and became more compact on the defensive at the back,” says left winger Tobias Mohr.
