self-made

エナジー・ドリンク類のファンとして悲しいできごとです。ただし，タイ産のオリジナルのレッド・ブルは発売されていないので飲んだことがありません。また日本国内で発売されているレッド・ブルは，ほかの国に発売されているレッド・ブルとも効力が違うので，ただの炭酸飲料という位置づけです。それでも，味は好きなので飲み続けています。ご冥福をお祈りいたします。

さて，赤字で示したself-madeの意味を確認したいと思います。Cobuild English Dictionary for Advanced Learnersで意味を確認しますと“Self-made is used to describe people who have become successful and rich through their own efforts, especially if they started life without money, education, or high social status.”とあります。特に後半の説明に注目すると，Chaleo Yoovidhya氏の起業精神(entrepreneurship)がよくわかります。ほかの記事を読んでみてもわかりますが，彼の精神や努力で勝ち取った地位や名声，そしてオリジナルのレッド・ブルは，まさに彼のself-madeという言葉で表現することができます。(Othello)

The self-made Thai billionaire who created the renowned Red Bull energy drink three decades ago has died, according to the country's state media. He was 89.

Thai state television broadcaster MCOT said Chaleo Yoovidhya died of natural causes on Saturday. It cited an executive at the Thai Beverage Industry Association.

Chaleo founded TC Pharmaceuticals. In the 1970s it formulated an energy drink called Krathing Daeng, or Red Bull in English. It became popular among Thai truck drivers and labourers.

Chaleo then co-founded a company in 1984 with an Austrian partner who helped turn Red Bull into a global brand.

Forbes magazine has ranked Chaleo among the richest men in the world. His assets are estimated to be worth several billion dollars.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/17/red-bull-billionaire-dies-thailand