Dietrich Mateschitz, founder of Red Bull, dies at 78

Vienna, Oct 22 (EFE).- Austrian billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz, founder and owner of the Red Bull energy drink company and several soccer clubs and Formula 1 teams, died Saturday. He was 78.

This was reported by the company when it made public a message sent by mail to its workers, in a statement in which it notified the press that no questions will be answered at the moment.

“Please understand that we will not be available to answer your questions until further notice. We appreciate you respecting the wish of Mr. Mateschitz’s family and closest friends to maintain his privacy,” the note read.

“At the moment, the predominant feeling is sadness. But soon sadness will give way to gratitude, gratitude for what he changed, moved, encouraged and made possible for so many people,” Red Bull wrote to its fans and employees.

“It is the task and responsibility of all of us to continue his life’s work in his spirit,” it added in the email.

Red Bull sponsors or owns numerous sports teams, such as the Red Bull and Alpha Tauri Formula 1 teams, and several football clubs, including Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig of the German Bundesliga, as well as other clubs in the United States, Brazil or Ghana.

The company sponsors numerous athletes and is a name of reference in extreme sports events, such as motorcycle and bike cross or acrobatic flying.

In April, Forbes magazine estimated his fortune at EUR 27.4 billion, ranking 51st on the list of the world’s richest people compiled by that publication. EFE

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