Who is Anne Jakrajutatip? Here's what to know about the former Miss Universe CEO
Anne Jakrajutatip brought major changes to Miss Universe, but her tenure as CEO of the world's biggest pageant was often overshadowed by controversy.
Anne Jakrajutatip became the first woman to own Miss Universe in October 2022, marking a historic moment for the organization. Born and raised in Bangkok, Jakrajutatip struggled with her gender identity from a young age, feeling "trapped in the wrong body" since the age of five. She developed a passion for public speaking through a high school class and later turned her parents' video-rental business into a content distribution empire.
Jakrajutatip's inspiration came from Angela Ponce, who made history as the first transgender woman to compete in the Miss Universe pageant. After acquiring Miss Universe for $20 million, Jakrajutatip announced plans to transform the pageant into a women's empowerment platform. However, her tenure was marred by controversy, with an investigation into her company by Thailand's Securities and Exchange Commission leading to her resignation in June 2025.
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