Divorced and Married Women Will Also Be Allowed to Compete in Miss Universe

Previously, Opportunities Were Offered Only to Childless Single Women
Thai Transgender Businessman Who Took Over the Organizing Committee Says "Marital Status Does Not Matter"

Recently, Chakraphong Chakrachutapit, a Thai transgender entrepreneur who acquired the Miss Universe organization, announced that married women and women with children will also be eligible to participate in the competition. Photo by AP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] The world-renowned beauty pageant Miss Universe, boasting 70 years of history and tradition, plans to expand its eligibility to allow not only unmarried women but also married and divorced women to participate in the competition.

On the 30th (local time), Thai media Nation reported that Chakraphong Chakrachutapit (43), CEO of Thailand's JKN Global Group and the new owner of the Miss Universe Organization (MUO), announced this plan at a press conference.

Chakraphong said, "Whether married or divorced, all women can participate in the competition. Why? Because even if you have a husband, you can still be beautiful and wonderful." He continued, "Why hide inside the house? Whether participants have a husband or not is no one else's business. We must become one 'universe'."

Previously, only unmarried women without children could participate in the Miss Universe pageant. With the relaxation of eligibility, women with children can now participate regardless of their marital status. Miss Universe, an international beauty pageant held since 1952, is a commercial competition run by a private company but enjoys high global recognition. Approximately 94 countries participate annually, with over 500 million viewers. At one point, former U.S. President Donald Trump also managed the pageant.

Chakraphong, who acquired the MUO, is a transgender woman ranked 149th among Thailand's wealthy in 2020 and is known as the richest transgender person in Asia and third in the world. JKN Global Group, where he is the largest shareholder and CEO, recently purchased 100% of the Miss Universe Organization shares from IMG Worldwide for $20 million (about 28.3 billion KRW).

After graduating from university, he took over his father's video rental business and expanded into content production, achieving success. He then spent 40 million baht (about 1.5 billion KRW) on gender reassignment surgery to become a complete woman. As a businessman and celebrity who appeared on TV reality shows, Chakraphong also engages in activities to promote transgender rights through operating a nonprofit foundation.

JKN Global Group plans to strengthen its commerce business using the Miss Universe brand, ranging from food, beverages, and nutritional supplements to cosmetics and lifestyle products. The next Miss Universe pageant is scheduled to be held in January 2023 in New Orleans, USA.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.