- AnneJakapongJakrajutatip became the first woman to own Miss Universe in October 2022.
- She said she was inspired by Angela Ponce, who was the first trans woman to compete in the pageant.
- Jakrajutatip has ushered in big changes, including allowing all women aged 18 and over to compete.
Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip made history when she purchased Miss Universe in October 2022, making her the first woman to own the organization since it began in 1952.
Jakrajutatip has since ushered in some big changes at the pageant, including allowing all women aged 18 and over to compete.
It's been a long road to success for the Thailand businesswoman, who turned her family's declining video-rental store into the multimillion-dollar company JKN Global Group.
Here's how Jakrajutatip made her way to the top spot at Miss Universe.
Anne Jakapong Jakrajutatip was born and raised in Bangkok, where she struggled with her gender identity from an early age.
During a January interview on "The Journal" podcast, Jakrajutatip said she knew she was "trapped in the wrong body" from the age of 5.
Jakrajutatip also told Them in June that she was bullied as a child and didn't find her voice until she took a public speaking class in high school.
"I wanted to have the weapon that is the microphone to express my attitude and exhibit that leadership to everyone," she said. "No more bullies. You cannot do anything harmful to me because I'm clever and smart and I can be successful."
Jakrajutatip attended university in Sydney, Australia, before returning home to take over her parents' video-rental business.
Jakrajutatip graduated with a degree in international relations, paying for her tuition fees with the money she made working at a gas station, according to Them.
At this point, Jakrajutatip said she knew she was a transgender woman, but she didn't feel comfortable coming out in Thailand. Same-sex marriage is still illegal in the country, and transgender people are not allowed to change their gender on legal documents.
Jakrajutatip turned her parents' store into a content distribution empire.
Jakrajutatip's first major deal was with the BBC, she told the Guardian. She said she had spotted the documentary "Walking With Dinosaurs" at her parents' store and offered to distribute the BBC series in Thailand.
According to the outlet, she sold a million copies and soon began distributing content from India, Japan, the US, and South Korea as well.
Jakrajutatip expanded JKN Global as she launched beauty lines and bought TV channels in Thailand.
According to Them, Jakrajutatip's profile rose in Thailand as she made appearances on the country's version of "Shark Tank" and "Project Runway," and she continued to expand her business portfolio by launching drinks and food supplements.
Oprah Winfrey served as Jakrajutatip's main source of inspiration as she pursued a career in media, she told the Guardian in January. To this day, Winfrey is the only person that Jakrajutatip follows on Instagram.
In 2018, Jakrajutatip launched a nonprofit to support transgender people. Two years later, she underwent gender confirmation surgery.
According to Them, Jakrajutatip launched the LIFT Foundation to advocate for transgender people in Thailand.
The outlet also reported that she underwent surgery in 2020 and became a mother six months later. She had a second child the following year.
Jakrajutatip told the Guardian that although she has undergone gender confirmation surgery, she is still not allowed to change the gender on her ID in Thailand, thus making it impossible for her to travel to certain countries for business.
Jakrajutatip knew she wanted to own Miss Universe after she saw Miss Spain 2018 Angela Ponce make history.
Jakrajutatip told Them that she was in the audience when Ponce became the first transgender woman to compete at Miss Universe.
"I stood up and applauded for her. I cried and she also cried on the stage," Jakrajutatip said. "When I turned back, everyone just stood up after me and applauded her big time."
"That moment, I thought, 'This is it. This is a pageant I can turn into a platform and it must be a women's empowerment platform,'" she added.
Jakrajutatip bought Miss Universe for $20 million in October 2022.
Jakrajutatip acquired the Miss Universe brand just weeks after the Miss USA organization descended into chaos as contestants claimed the 2022 pageant had been rigged in favor of R'Bonney Gabriel, who went on to win Miss Universe months later.
In a statement sent to Business Insider after the news was announced, Jakrajutatip said she was proud to take over the organization.
"We seek not only to continue its legacy of providing a platform to passionate individuals from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and traditions, but also to evolve the brand for the next generation," she added.
During her first Miss Universe as the owner in January, Jakrajutatip told pageant fans that she was ushering in a new era.
"From now on it's going to be run by women, owned by a trans woman, for all women around the world," she said.
But there have been bumps in the road for Jakrajutatip, whose company recently filed a "business rehabilitation" petition.
Thailand's bankruptcy court accepted the petition from JKN Global, which missed a payment on a multimillion-dollar loan in September.
The company said in a letter to the stock-exchange president that its financial liquidity management was "not in line with the expected forecast," and that it intends to restructure its debt.
In a statement to pageant fans, JKN Global said the 72nd Miss Universe competition would move forward as planned and would still be a "top-notch experience."
"We reaffirm that the legacy of Miss Universe will be carried on by JKN Global Group as envisioned from the beginning," the statement said. "We are confident that the new plan will support all of the company's business operations, including Miss Universe."
Jakrajutatip reaffirmed her commitment to Miss Universe in a separate statement that she posted to her Instagram on November 9.
"I always put The Miss Universe Organization as my first priority in life," she said in the caption of the post. "No matter how joyful or painful it's gonna be…. Our universe must go on, must be great and must stay on top as the legendary Beauty Olympics in the World! I will sacrifice and do everything for the great success of OUR UNIVERSE!"
The second Miss Universe with Jakrajutatip as owner is taking place on Saturday.
The 72nd Miss Universe competition is taking place in San Salvador, El Salvador. Eighty-four women are competing in this year's pageant, which is the most inclusive Miss Universe contest to date.
The new winner will be crowned by R'Bonney Gabriel.
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