Thai Business Mogul Acquires Miss Universe Organisation for US$20 Million

Thai-owned company JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd announced on Wednesday, Oct. 26, that it bought the rights to the Miss Universe Organisation from IMG Worldwide LLC for US$20 million. The media company said the acquisition is part of its plan to take the organisation to new heights.

“The goal is to expand into more than just a beauty pageant by defining the revenue structure in nine areas of the Miss Universe Organisation business,” JKN Global Group said in an Instagram post.

Thai business tycoon and transgender rights activist Chakrapong “Anne” Chakrajuthathib, who is the acting CEO and shareholder of JKN Global Group Public Co. Ltd, now helms the Miss Universe Organisation. She is the first woman and non-U.S. citizen to own the prestigious beauty pageant.

Meanwhile, the Thai-born company also announced the birth of JKN Metaverse, a group of companies that aims to produce world-class content for Thai and international viewers.