The Last Surprising Dying Wish Of A Billionaire For All His Employees
It's not every day that you hear something worthwhile about the world's billionaires. But Dietrich Mateschitz, founder of the renowned energy drink Red Bull, might surprise you.
Austria's richest man had one last wish before he died of cancer in October: he gave clear instructions that all his employees in the country should receive a hefty bonus of €3,000.
The bonus was in addition to their October salaries.
Billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz
Dietrich Mateschitz, a man of Croatian descent born on May 20, 1944, invented Red Bull, the popular energy drink, in 1987 after discovering the concoction in a Hong Kong hotel bar.
He built the Red Bull corporate empire, which is now worth more than $50 billion, and he owned about half of it.
More specifically, Forbes magazine estimated Mateschitz's wealth to be €27.4 billion in 2022, making him the richest person in Austria.
Around 13,000 people worked for the millionaire internationally.
In 30 years, Mateschitz's company has established itself as a major player in international sports, from football and Formula One to extreme sports, but the billionaire has remained a relatively reclusive and reserved character.
Dietrich Mateschitz's Employees
Dietrich Mateschitz has consistently claimed that his staff members, whom he has always paid very well and provided with many facilities, are responsible for his success.
Dietrich Mateschitz always treated his staff with the utmost respect and lived by the adage that "giving with a warm hand is better than with a cold hand."
For instance, all personnel who work directly for Red Bull GmbH are provided with company vehicles.
Rent subsidies are given to employees who relocate to Austria, and business class is offered for lengthy flights taken for professional reasons.
And, the cherry on the top: Dietrich Mateschitz made sure that all of the more than 2,000 employees in Austria at Red Bull, as well as at his other companies, received the €3,000 bonus.
Companies in Austria, like those in Germany, are currently allowed to give their employees a tax-free cost of living bonus of up to 3.000 euros due to the sharp increase in the cost of food and energy.
According to The Salzburger Nachrichten, Dietrich Mateschitz gave more than six million euros while making the best use of this money.
Future
Oliver Mintzlaff, in charge of projects and investments and formerly in charge of RB Leipzig, Franz Watzlawick, president of the beverage division, and Alexander Kirchmayr, CFO, will make up the future management of Red Bull, according to News RND.
Dietrich Mateschitz is said to have had considerable influence over the company when he was alive, and all three of them are already working there.
Mark Mateschitz, the founder's son, on the other hand, said he would discontinue taking part in the current project.
An Inspiration
Surely, Dietrich Mateschitz's gesture should be appreciated by employers around the world, especially as the cost of living has risen dramatically.
Dietrich Mateschitz is showing us that being a business owner means, besides making a profit, taking care of your employees, and respecting them - because the success of your business depends on them.
Pictures Credit: Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz (link: Youtube Screenshot)
Red Bull drink (link: restaurantclicks.com)
Red Bull CEO Dietrich Mateschitz (link: motorsportmagazine.com)
