Dietrich Mateschitz: is there a family office?

This article directly stems from the research process for our European single family office database. Our list of European single family offices includes the most important family investment vehicles that invest in various areas, such as financial markets, real estate, venture capital, private equity and renewables.

Dietrich is an Austrian businessman who amassed his fortune through the establishment of Red Bull GmBh, of which he currently holds 49% ownership in the company. As of October 2022, he has an estimated net worth of $20.9bn which places him as the world’s 68^th richest person according to Forbes. In this article, we will investigate if Dietrich operates through a family office.

Dietrich uses Distribution & Marketing family office to manage investments

Dietrich co-founded Red Bull alongside Thai businessman Chaleo Yoovidhya in 1987, having spent several years working as a marketing executive where he first discovered a Thai drink called Krating Daeng. Yoovidhya made the Thai drink and the duo came together to re-brand and market the energy drink back in Europe. The basis of Red Bull’s marketing was built on extreme sports as well as motor racing. Through Red Bull, Dietrich currently holds a $350m stake in two Formula 1 teams: Red Bull and Toro Rosso. The company holds countless sporting interests, including ownership in football teams such as New York Red Bulls, RB Leipzig, and Salzburg. Red Bull has also sponsored numerous individual athletes including Dominic Thiem and sporting feats such as Felix Baumgartner’s 120,000 skydive. Outside of sports, Dietrich has made numerous charitable donations and was fundamental in the establishment of Wings For Life, a trust which was created to support those with spinal injuries.

Dietrich manages his personal wealth through Distribution & Marketing GmbH, using the company to invest in real estate, restaurants, hotels, and the Tourism company Tauroa. Distributing & Marketing (D&M) is the registered owner of the 49% stake in Red Bull and Dietrich is the sole owner of D&M) The Austrian has also invested in domestic parcel service comparison site Checkrobin through the family office.

Picture source: Marcel Straus