Thai Transgender Activist Acquires Miss Universe Org With History-Making $20M Deal

Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip, a transgender rights advocate and businesswoman, has purchased the United States-based organization that runs the annual international beauty pageant.

AceShowbiz -Miss Universe Organization now has a new owner after a history-making deal. The United States-based organization, which runs the annual international beauty pageant, has been bought by Thai transgender activist and businesswoman Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip for $20 million.

Anne is the Chief Executive Officer of JKN Global Group Public Company Limited. She said in a statement of the purchase, “We are incredibly honored to be acquiring The Miss Universe Organization and working with its visionary leadership team.”

“The global reach of the organization, its relationships with global partners and brands, and its wealth of content, licensing, and merchandising opportunities make this a strong, strategic addition to our portfolio,” she continued. “We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions but also to evolve the brand for the next generation.”

The buyout marks the first time a woman will own the Miss Universe Org. since it was established in 1952. Anne acquired the organization from Endeavor’s IMG, which bought it from Donald Trump in 2015. The former president previously owned the rights starting in 1996 in a broadcast partnership initially with CBS and then with NBC. JKN said it has established a subsidiary in the United States, JKN Metaverse Inc., to own the Miss Universe Organization.

Mark Shapiro, president of Endeavor, said in a statement, “We are proud of our team’s success growing and expanding the Miss Universe Organization by utilizing the power of the Endeavor network, drawing on expertise across talent, digital, content, partnerships and licensing. We’re equally proud of the progress the organization has made in becoming a more inclusive and powerful platform where women can advance both their business objectives and their cause-based work.”

Amy Emmerich and Paula Shugart will continue with the organization as CEO and president, respectively. Amy said, “We look forward to this next chapter in the Miss Universe story. In the short time I’ve been with the organization, I’ve seen firsthand the passion of our employees, franchisees, and partners, as well as our incredible community. Paula and I see tremendous opportunity with JKN to create further growth for this organization on the global stage and women around the world. Despite having recently celebrated the organization’s legacy of more than 70 years, we are just getting started.”

Anne is a well-known media personality in Thailand. She has appeared on local “Project Runway” and “Shark Tank” franchises. As a transgender activist, she set up the Life Inspired For Transsexual Foundation (LIFT) to advocate for the rights to dignity and opportunities for transgendered people.

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