Billionaire Founder of Red Bull Dies in Thailand

Mr. Chaleo died of natural causes in Bangkok on Saturday, according to local media reports and state television broadcaster, MCOT, which cited the Thai Beverage Industry Association.

19 Mar 2012 --- Chaleo Yoovidhya, the self-made Thai billionaire who introduced the world to "energy drinks" and co-founded the globally popular Red Bull brand, has died. He was in his 80s.

Mr. Chaleo died of natural causes in Bangkok on Saturday, according to local media reports and state television broadcaster, MCOT, which cited the Thai Beverage Industry Association.

His age was variously put at 89 or 90, although some sources gave his date of birth as August 17, 1923, making him 88.

Chaleo was ranked 205th on the Forbes list of the world's wealthiest people, with a fortune it put at $5 billion.

Born into a Chinese immigrant family, he never flaunted the wealth he accumulated and avoided publicity.

According to Thailand's Nation newspaper, he had not given a media interview or made any public appearances for 30 years.