Caitlyn Jenner became one of the most prominent athletes in the 1970s. She won a gold medal and set a new world record at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, and after her career was over, jobs in the entertainment business followed.
But as of today, Caitlyn has been in the spotlight for coming out as transgender and taking hormone treatments for a gender transition. Her decision was courageous, and as of today, Jenner has turned into a role model for many.
Caitlyn Jenner was born William Bruce Jenner on October 28, 1949, in Mount Kisco, New York. As a youngster, she struggled with dyslexia, but even though it was tough, athletics was a savior for her. Throughout her childhood, Caitlyn found great success in sports, as she turned out to be a huge talent in many sports.
Caitlyn Jenner – early life
During her high school days, Jenner excelled in football, basketball, and water skiing. But it was track and field that would become her true passion.
From the beginning, however, Caitlyn received a football scholarship from Graceland College in Iowa. But once there, a knee injury took her off the field, and instead, she switched to track and field.
As mentioned, Caitlyn was a very gifted athlete, being named the Most Valuable Player of her high school basketball team, football team, and track team. But at the same time, already at that point in her life, she struggled with gender identity.
“I was totally empty inside”
Because of the massive victory in the Olympics, Caitlyn Jenner didn’t only become an American hero. It also meant fame was inevitable, and once she got back to the States, everyone wanted a piece of her.
Jenner got plenty of endorsement deals, becoming a sort of a national brand. Further, she appeared in ads and television shows – and even movies.
However, behind the brand that at the time was Bruce Jenner, she was a different person.
In 1977, Jenner got picked in the seventh round of the National Basketball Association draft by the Kansas City Kings. But as she stood on stage, taking in the fame, chants, and applause, nothing of that really mattered.
Caitlyn Jenner – marriage, wife, children
Their first child, Burt, was born in 1978, and two years later, the couple welcomed their daughter Cassandra. However, as Chrystie was pregnant with Cassandra, the couple had already split.
Speaking to ABC, Jenner said that Chrystie was probably “the first one to know” about their struggles with gender identity.
“I didn’t go heavily into it back then,” Caitlyn explained. “I said ‘these are my issues. This is what I deal with.’ And they think I do a little cross dressing, I do a little of this, a little of that, you know, ‘it’s going to be fine, we’ll work all this stuff out.’”
Despite Jenner’s struggles with gender identity, she kept it inside of her. In 1981, she married Linda Thompson, with whom they had sons Brody and Brandon Jenner. Five years later, the couple divorced.
Stopped her transition
Moreover, she had started to grow breasts, as she initially planned to fully transition before her 40th birthday. But Jenner decided to stop the process at 39.
Caitlyn was struggling with her identity. But unfortunately, at the same time as Caitlyn was struggling with her identity, the understanding and respect for transgender people and people transitioning wasn’t on the same level as it is today, which made it even more difficult as she was a celebrity.
But if there is one thing Caitlyn Jenner was – and still is – it’s brave. She decided to tell her older sister Pam about the gender crisis she went through – and it was the first time a family member heard it.
Still feel like Bruce lives inside her
Jenner was worried about how her family would react to the news since they were unaware of her plans.
“That night I thought, ‘oh, it’s, like, over. Heart’s pounding… and I thought wouldn’t the easiest thing to be right now,” Caitlyn Jenner recalled.
In 2014, Kris and Caitlyn’s divorce was finalized. She opened up to all of her children about her transition. She got massive support from all of them.
As of today, Caitlyn Jenner has embraced her new life, which sure is way different than before. Kendall and Kylie will sometimes still call her “dad.” However, she said she had no problems with it, despite the confusion.
