You’ve seen the silver-and-blue cans everywhere. From the hands of sleepy college students to the podiums of Formula 1, Red Bull is a monolith. But if you ask the average person who actually owns the company, you usually get a blank stare or a vague mention of "some guy in Austria."
The truth? The owner of red bull energy drink isn't just one person, and the balance of power inside the company has recently undergone a massive, quiet earthquake. We aren't just talking about a change in management. We’re talking about a multi-billion dollar inheritance, a Thai dynasty with a controversial past, and a secret 2% stake that determines who actually calls the shots.
The Austrian Heir and the Thai Dynasty
Most people associated the brand with Dietrich Mateschitz. He was the face of the company for decades—the marketing genius who took a Thai tonic and turned it into a global lifestyle. When he passed away in October 2022, the world looked at his son, Mark Mateschitz.
Mark is currently the richest millennial in Europe. He inherited his father’s 49% stake in Red Bull GmbH, catapulting his net worth to an estimated $43 billion as of early 2026. He’s 33, low-profile, and honestly, he doesn’t seem interested in the celebrity limelight. He stepped down from his daily role as "Head of Organics" to simply sit on the board as a shareholder.
But here is the kicker: Mark does not "own" Red Bull in the way most people think. He doesn't have the final say.
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The majority control actually sits in Thailand with the Yoovidhya family. Chaleo Yoovidhya was the man who originally created Krating Daeng (the original Thai Red Bull). Today, his son Chalerm Yoovidhya leads the family. They own 51% of the company.
That 51% is the reason the Thai family has the ultimate veto power over everything from corporate strategy to who runs the F1 team.
The Secret of the 2% Stake
Why 51%? It’s a weirdly specific number, right?
When Dietrich and Chaleo first teamed up in 1984, they each took 49%. The remaining 2% was given to Chalerm Yoovidhya personally. This was a strategic move to ensure the Thai side always held the tie-breaking vote.
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For years, Dietrich Mateschitz ran the company with total autonomy because he had a "handshake agreement" with the Thais. They let him do his thing because, frankly, he was making them billions. But after Dietrich died, that agreement didn't just automatically transfer to his son.
The 2025 Power Play
In mid-2025, something fascinating happened in the corporate filings. Chalerm Yoovidhya transferred his crucial 2% stake to a Geneva-based trust called Fides Trustees SA.
Why does this matter? Because it signaled a potential shift in how the company is governed. Some analysts believe this was a move to professionalize the board, while others saw it as a way to shield the family from the PR nightmares surrounding other family members, like the infamous "Red Bull Heir" Vorayuth Yoovidhya, who has been a fugitive for years following a high-profile hit-and-run.
How Much is the Owner of Red Bull Energy Drink Actually Worth?
The numbers are staggering. In 2024, Red Bull sold over 12 billion cans.
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- Mark Mateschitz: $43 Billion (approx.)
- Chalerm Yoovidhya & Family: $44.5 Billion (approx.)
They aren't just "rich." They are "buy-an-island-and-a-private-air-force" rich. Mark inherited a collection of vintage planes, Austrian castles, and even an island in Fiji. Meanwhile, the Yoovidhyas have been buying up prime real estate in London and diversifying into healthcare and vineyards through their Siam Winery.
Who Runs the Show Now?
Since the owner of red bull energy drink is now split between an Austrian heir and a Thai family who prefer to stay behind the scenes, they’ve installed a trio of CEOs to handle the day-to-day grind:
- Franz Watzlawick: The CEO of the beverage business. He’s the one making sure the cans actually get on shelves.
- Alexander Kirchmayr: The CFO. He watches the billions.
- Oliver Mintzlaff: The CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments. If you follow sports, you know this name—he’s the guy overseeing the football clubs (Leipzig, Salzburg) and the F1 interests.
This structure was actually designed by Dietrich before he died. He knew a power vacuum would be disastrous, so he hand-picked these three to keep the ship steady.
What This Means for You (The Actionable Part)
If you're looking at Red Bull as a business model or an investment (though it remains a private company), there are three big takeaways from how the ownership is currently handled:
- Trust is a Currency: The company thrived for 30 years on a handshake. In an era of 500-page contracts, Red Bull's success shows that long-term, high-trust partnerships between founders are often more resilient than complex legal structures.
- Succession Planning Matters: Dietrich didn't leave things to chance. He created a management board that could function without a "Mateschitz" in the CEO chair. If you own a business, ask yourself: Could my company survive a month without me?
- Brand vs. Person: The "owner" has changed, but the brand hasn't blinked. Red Bull has successfully untethered its identity from its founders. It is no longer Dietrich's company; it is a global culture of "extreme."
The owner of red bull energy drink today is a complex web of Thai tradition and Austrian inheritance. It's a balance of power that stays hidden behind the bright lights of the X Games and the roar of F1 engines, but it's the foundation of every single can you crack open.
To stay ahead of how these shifts affect the market, keep an eye on the Austrian corporate registry filings—that's where the real "energy" is moving these days.