Founded the Red Bull energy drink company in 1984, he owns 49%. While travelling for work, he discovered Krating Daeng, the drink developed by Chaleo Yoovidhya, which he rebranded as Red Bull.
Has a son Mark Gerhardter by long-term partner Marion Feichtner.
Graduated from the Vienna University of Economics and Business with a marketing degree in 1972.
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After his college graduation he worked for Unilever before moving to Blendax, a German cosmetics company owned by Procter & Gamble.