The Rise and Fall of Anne Jakrajutatip: From Media Mogul to Miss Universe Controversy

A Historic Acquisition and Vision for Change

In October 2022, Thai businesswoman Anne Jakrajutatip made headlines by purchasing the Miss Universe organization for $20 million, becoming the first woman to own the brand since its inception in 1952. Jakrajutatip, a prominent media figure in Thailand, stated that her inspiration to acquire the pageant stemmed from witnessing Angela Ponce, the first transgender woman to compete in the event, take the stage in 2018. Following the purchase, Jakrajutatip championed a new era for the organization, emphasizing a platform for women’s empowerment and implementing significant changes, such as removing the age cap to allow any woman 18 or older to compete.

Background and Business Ascent

Born and raised in Bangkok, Jakrajutatip has been open about her experiences as a transgender woman, noting that she felt “trapped in the wrong body” from a young age. After facing bullying during her youth, she pursued public speaking to build leadership skills. She later moved to Australia for university, funding her education by working at a gas station. Upon returning to Thailand, she transformed her parents’ small video-rental business into a massive content distribution empire, JKN Global. Her business portfolio eventually expanded to include television channels, beauty lines, and food supplements, and she became a well-known personality through appearances on Thai versions of Shark Tank and Project Runway.

Financial Struggles and Allegations of Misconduct

Despite her initial ambitions, Jakrajutatip’s leadership was frequently marred by financial and ethical concerns. In 2023, her company, JKN Global, filed for business rehabilitation after failing to meet a multimillion-dollar loan payment. While she publicly vowed to keep the pageant running, internal and external pressures mounted.

In 2024, a leaked video surfaced showing Jakrajutatip discussing diverse contestants as a “communication strategy” during a staff meeting. She later claimed the footage was taken out of context and related to a potential reality show rather than the pageant itself. Further allegations emerged in March 2025, when a former judge, Denise White, claimed that Jakrajutatip had attempted to pressure then-president Paula Shugart to ensure the Thai contestant reached the top five of the 2023 pageant. Shugart, who resigned shortly before the competition, corroborated that she had been pressured but refused to comply. Jakrajutatip did not publicly address these specific claims.

Legal Troubles and Departure

The situation escalated in mid-2025 when Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) launched an investigation into JKN Global, alleging that the company provided false and misleading financial information. Jakrajutatip stepped down from her position at JKN Global in June 2025. By November 2025, a Bangkok court issued an arrest warrant for her in connection with an ongoing fraud case. As of late 2026, her current whereabouts remain unknown, and she has not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.

Following her departure from the Miss Universe organization, the brand saw further instability, including the resignation of her successor, Mario Búcaro, in late 2025. These events marked a turbulent conclusion to a tenure that began with promises of inclusivity and modernization for one of the world’s most recognizable beauty pageants.

Source: businessinsider.com