Thai transgender businesswoman buys Miss Universe pageant

According to The Guardian , the deal is worth $20 million.

Jakapong "Anne" Jakrajutatip spoke about her experience as a transgender woman and spoke out for transgender rights. This is the first time in the history of the contest that it belongs to a woman. 

The Miss Universe pageant, co-owned by former US President Donald Trump between 1996 and 2002, has been broadcast in 165 countries and has been running for 71 years.

Jakapong "Anne" Jakrajuthatip is the chief executive officer and the largest shareholder of JKN Global Group. She is a celebrity in Thailand and has appeared in local versions of the reality shows Project Runway and Shark Tank. Created the Life Inspired For Thailand Foundation to protect the rights to dignity and opportunities for transgender people.

Jakapong's profile in the Bangkok Post earlier this year said she attended an all-male school where she was harassed for identifying as a woman.

The acquisition is a "strong strategic addition to our portfolio," Jakapong said, adding that Miss Universe, with its content, license and merchandising capabilities, plans to expand in Asia. JKN stated that it has set up a subsidiary in the United States, JKN Metaverse, to own the Miss Universe organization.

The company produces its own shows and distributes foreign content in Thailand, including documentaries and Bollywood dramas.