A 31-Year-Old You've Never Heard Of Is One Of the 50 Richest People In The World Thanks To A Beverage You've Definitely Head Of

Red Bull has given 31-year-old Mark Mateschitz, son of the late energy drink brand co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz, a lot more than just wings. When his father passed away in late 2022, Mark Mateschitz inherited a 49% stake in the beverage company. That stake has now made Mark one of the youngest billionaires in the world, with a fortune of $30 billion. Actually, he's not just one of the youngest billionaires in the world, a $30 billion fortune makes Mark Mateschitz one of the 50 richest people on the planet overall! Specifically, he ranks #49 on our real-time list of the world's richest citizens.

In October of 2022, Mateschitz's father passed away from cancer. Although his illness had been known for a while, no one at Red Bull had officially determined who would take over the reins of the company. Matters of succession were complicated by the fact that the decision was not up to Mateschitz, as the main shareholder of the company was the Yoovidhya family. This was because when Red Bull was founded, 49% went to Dietrich Mateschitz, 49% to Chaleo Yoovidhya, and 2% to Yoovidhya's first-born son, Chalerm. After Chaleo passed away in 2012, his son Chalerm controlled 51% of Red Bull, granting him executive power.

Regardless of corporate succession plans, Mark owns 49% of a privately owned beverage empire that generated around $12 billion in revenue in 2023. Using a very basic valuation multiple of 5X revenue, Red Bull is worth a minimum of $60 billion. Hence Mark Mateschitz's $30 billion net worth.

The OTHER Red Bull Heir

Mark is not the only Red Bull heir on the planet. Another Red Bull heir is named Vorayuth Yoovidhya. Vorayuth's grandfather Chaleo Yoovidhya was the other co-founder of Red Bull along with Dietrich Mateschitz.

When Caleo died in 2012 his family inherited the other 51% stake in the company. Unfortunately, Vorayuth has spent the last 10+ years living in hiding, having been involved in an alleged hit-and-run accident that also occurred in 2012.

Vorayuth reportedly ran over a police officer in Bangkok while speeding in his Ferrari. He fled the scene and, ultimately, Thailand itself. In 2017 a "Red Notice" for his arrest was issued by Interpol. In 2020, the charges were dropped, with the proviso that the investigation could be reopened in the event of new evidence. Vorayuth Yoovidhya's current whereabouts are unknown.

As for Mark Mateschitz, he has been linked in the tabloid press to Victoria Swarovski, herself an heiress to the Swarovski crystal fortune, and recently separated from her husband, Werner Muerz. Media in Austria have reported that the two are the couple, but neither have confirmed the reports publicly.