Miss Universe Mexico franchise owner and Mexico-based Legacy Holdings president and CEO Raul Rocha Cantú has joined JKN Global founder and CEO Anne Jakkaphong Jakrajutatip as co-owner of the merged, privately held company JKN Legacy, which is behind the Miss Universe Organization.

The Mexican business tycoon and Latin American billionaire who owns a hotel, oil refinery, real estate and private jet airports invested 50 percent in JKN Legacy with an investment value of $16 million or 581.92 million baht.

 Cantú's team will lead the 73rd Miss Universe to be held in Mexico, which previously hosted the 56th edition in 2007.

"I will work together with Ms. Anne to create a new chapter of success for the Miss Universe Organization business by jointly determining the direction of business operations as well as using the business partner network and capital," Cantú said.

Jakrajutatip revealed that the company has set a strategy to promote the MUO business through a collaborative model with global strategic partners bringing experience and expertise together in the United States, which operates and owns the MUO and its beauty pageant brands Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA.

JKN will continue to have control and decision-making over JKN Legacy, with the right to appoint three persons out of five as directors of JKN Legacy.

Miss Universe will remain a private corporation based in the United States. The corporate headquarters will be based in Mexico City; digital, social media and communications will come out of New York City, while the Thailand branch will be responsible for in-house content and production.