A Thai businesswoman and transgender advocate bought the Miss Universe Organization for $20 million, making her the first woman to own the global beauty pageant in its 71-year history, her company announced Wednesday.
The Miss Universe Organization, which was co-owned by former President Donald Trump between 1996-2015, was bought by Endeavor’s IMG in 2015.
Miss Universe, Harnaaz Sandhu of India, waves after being crowned Dec. 12, 2021, in Eilat, Israel.
The Miss Universe pageant, which started in 1952, broadcasts in 165 countries.
The pageant featured its first transgender contestant in 2018, when Miss Spain, Angela Ponce, competed for the crown.