From its humble Thai origins almost 50 years ago, Red Bull has soared to unprecedented heights to become the planet's number-one energy drink. Synonymous with high-octane adventure, the caffeinated beverage has reached iconic status, turbo-charged by the brand's marketing strategy – a potent mix of sports and music sponsorship, guerrilla campaigns, viral videos and more.

So how did a little-known drink become a billion-dollar global empire? Read on to discover the surprising story of Red Bull's incredible rise and the two men who got remarkably rich along the way...

All dollar values in US dollars