🌟 Miss Universe Organization — Key Facts
| Current Owner | JKN Global Group PCL (Anne Jakrajuathong) |
| Acquisition | Purchased from Endeavor/WME-IMG, October 2022, ~$20 million |
| Previous Owners | Donald Trump (1996–2015) → Endeavor/WME-IMG (2015–2022) |
| Founded | 1952, by Catalina Inc. (swimwear company) |
| JKN Headquarters | Thailand (Bangkok) |
| Pageants Operated | Miss Universe, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA |
| JKN CEO | Anne Jakrajuathong |
The Miss Universe Organization is owned by JKN Global Group PCL, a Thai media and entertainment company led by CEO Anne Jakrajuathong, who purchased the organization from Endeavor (WME-IMG) in October 2022 for approximately $20 million — marking the first time the Miss Universe brand was owned by a woman and by a Thai company. JKN operates Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA under its umbrella.
Who Is the Owner of Miss Universe Organization?
The Miss Universe Organization is owned by JKN Global Group PCL, controlled by CEO Anne Jakrajuathong (also known as “Anne JKN”). JKN is a Thai publicly listed company involved in media content distribution, entertainment, and health & beauty. Anne Jakrajuathong purchased the Miss Universe Organization in October 2022 for approximately $20 million — an acquisition that made global headlines as the first time the competition was owned by a woman of color and the first Thai ownership of a global pageant. JKN itself is listed on Thailand’s Stock Exchange (SET: JKN).
The Miss Universe Competition’s History
Miss Universe was created in 1952 by Catalina Inc., a California-based swimwear company, as a rival to Miss America after that pageant’s winner refused to pose in a swimsuit. The organization has operated continuously since then, with contestants from virtually every country competing for the Miss Universe title. The competition is televised in over 180 countries. Unlike Miss America (which focuses on scholarship and talent), Miss Universe emphasizes international diplomacy, advocacy, and global representation. The competition has been held in the United States and internationally, including in Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Europe.
Donald Trump’s Ownership and WME-IMG Era
The Miss Universe Organization’s most famous prior owner was Donald Trump, who held a 50% stake alongside NBC from 1996 until 2015. Trump’s ownership ended acrimoniously when NBC severed ties following Trump’s remarks about Mexican immigrants during his 2015 presidential campaign announcement. Trump subsequently sold his stake to WME-IMG (now Endeavor Group). The organization then underwent significant restructuring under Endeavor before JKN’s 2022 acquisition. The sale to Anne Jakrajuathong represented a fundamental shift in the brand’s geographic and demographic identity.