Mario Bucaro has stepped down from his position as CEO of the Miss Universe Organization, after just one month in the role.
The competition announced on Friday that Bokaro, 48, had “concluded his term.”
He took office in November after Jakapong “Anne” Jakrajotatip resigned in June.
In a statement, Buccaro said his time with the organization “represented an invaluable learning period,” and praised the opportunity to work “alongside exceptional women, exceptional professionals, and a global community that truly believes in women’s empowerment.”
He added that he always sought to “leave a positive legacy with everyone I collaborated with.”
Buccaro’s resignation comes after several controversies surrounding the recent Miss Universe competition.
This included a viral confrontation between pageant director Noat Itsaragrisil and Fatima Bush, who was crowned Miss Universe 2025, as well as claims from contestants about falling ill due to “box lunches” and red flags in competition logistics.
The organization denied the allegations, saying all evaluations followed MUO’s “established, transparent and moderated protocols” and that no impromptu jury was used.
Bokaro takes over from former CEO Jakrajotatepe, who faced an arrest warrant in late November for alleged financial fraud at her company, JKN Global Group, which owns the Miss Universe pageant.