Currently, Caitlyn is widely recognized for her courageous decision to come out as transgender and undergo hormone therapy for her gender transition. This choice has made her a role model for many individuals today.
Despite her transformation, the former elite athlete acknowledges that the “old Bruce” still resides within her. Here is a comprehensive overview of Caitlyn Jenner’s life.
Caitlyn Jenner, originally named William Bruce Jenner, was born on October 28, 1949, in Mount Kisco, New York. As a child, she faced challenges with dyslexia, but athletics provided her with a sense of purpose and achievement. Throughout her youth, Caitlyn demonstrated exceptional talent across various sports.
In her early years, Jenner distinguished herself in football, basketball, and water skiing during high school, but it was track and field that captured her true interest. Initially, she received a football scholarship to Graceland College in Iowa; however, a knee injury sidelined her, prompting a shift to track and field.
Caitlyn’s athletic prowess was evident as she earned the title of Most Valuable Player on her high school basketball, football, and track teams. Concurrently, she grappled with her gender identity during this period of her life.
“I observe men and think, ‘He’s so at ease with himself,’” Jenner reflected. “And I wondered, ‘What a wonderful way to live!’ I often look at women and think, ‘How fortunate they are to wake up each day as their true selves.’ Meanwhile, I feel trapped in between.”Caitlyn Jenner’s college track coach, L.D. Weldon, encouraged her to pursue training for the Olympic decathlon, a challenging event that encompasses ten track and field disciplines. Recognized for his expertise in this demanding sport, Weldon identified Jenner as an ideal candidate for success.
In 1971, Caitlyn unexpectedly triumphed at the Kansas Relays. The following year, she secured a spot on the US Olympic team, ultimately finishing 10th in the decathlon at the Munich Games.
Olympic Superstar
This accomplishment was significant, yet Jenner believed she could achieve even greater heights. Consequently, she committed to an intensive training regimen, dedicating eight hours a day to practice for the next four years.
By the time the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal arrived, Jenner was fully prepared.
On July 30, 1976, at the age of 26, she clinched the Olympic decathlon title and established a new world record with a score of 8,618 points.
During a tumultuous period in the United States, marked by the aftermath of the Vietnam War, the Watergate scandal, and various other challenges, Jenner’s Olympic victory served as a beacon of hope. She was celebrated as a larger-than-life American hero, embodying a symbol of masculinity with her long, flowing hair.
Recognized as the world’s premier athlete, Jenner, despite her representation of masculinity, felt a deep sense of femininity upon receiving her gold medal. “I see a confused person at that time, running away from my life … with big-time fear,” Caitlyn shared with ABC. “[I was] scared to death. I didn’t realize what my future held at that time.”
“That is me. That is her,” she remarked, affirming her gender identity. “[You can be a woman] and still kick butt.”
“I was totally empty inside.”
Caitlyn Jenner’s monumental Olympic success not only elevated her to the status of an American icon but also ushered in inevitable fame. Upon her return to the United States, she found herself in high demand.
Jenner secured numerous endorsement deals, evolving into a national brand. Additionally, she featured in advertisements and television appearances.I stepped off the stage feeling like a fraud. I thought to myself, ‘I can’t share my story,’ she recounted. “There’s so much more to my life than those 48 hours in the stadium, and I’m unable to discuss it.” It was a source of frustration, leading to self-anger. Unbeknownst to others, I felt completely hollow inside—entirely empty.
Seven years prior to her Olympic triumph—in 1971—Caitlyn Jenner married her college sweetheart, Chrystie Scott. While Jenner worked nights selling insurance, Chrystie was employed as a flight attendant, fully committed to supporting her husband in achieving his Olympic aspirations.
Caitlyn Jenner—marriage, spouse, children
Their first child, Burt, was born in 1978, followed by their daughter Cassandra two years later. However, by the time Chrystie was expecting Cassandra, the couple had already separated.
In an interview with ABC, Jenner mentioned that Chrystie was likely “the first to be aware” of her struggles with gender identity.
“I didn’t delve deeply into it at that time,” Caitlyn clarified. “I simply stated, ‘These are my issues. This is what I’m dealing with.’ They assumed I was just dabbling in cross-dressing and thought, ‘It will all work out.’”
Despite grappling with her gender identity, Jenner kept her feelings hidden. In 1981, she married Linda Thompson, with whom she had two sons, Brody and Brandon Jenner. The couple divorced five years later.
Caitlyn later disclosed that her struggles with gender identity contributed to their separation. Nevertheless, Thompson expressed her unwavering support for Caitlyn.
“My hope is that his transition will inspire others facing similar identity challenges, and my prayer is that society has progressed enough to show kindness to those we may view as ‘different,’” she stated. Even after more than five years since Caitlyn Jenner’s transition, she maintains that “Bruce” still resides within her.