Caitlyn Jenner: Life History, Career, and Timeline
Real Name: Caitlyn Marie Jenner (formerly William Bruce Jenner)
Date of Birth: October 28, 1949
Birth Place: Mount Kisco, New York, USA
Residence: Caitlyn Jenner resides primarily in Malibu, California, USA.
Profession: Former Olympic decathlete, television personality, author, and transgender rights advocate.
Nationality: American
Religion: Christianity (previously Presbyterian)
Horoscope: Scorpio
Father: William Hugh Jenner
Mother: Esther Ruth Jenner (née McGuire)
Partner: Caitlyn has been married three times, to Chrystie Crownover (1972–1981), Linda Thompson (1981–1986), and Kris Jenner (1991–2015). Since transitioning, Caitlyn has not remarried.
Early Life and Family Background
Caitlyn Jenner was born as William Bruce Jenner in Mount Kisco, New York, and was the second of four children. Caitlyn had a relatively normal upbringing in a middle-class family. Her father, William Hugh Jenner, was a World War II veteran who received a Purple Heart. Caitlyn grew up playing sports and showed early signs of athletic talent, excelling in track and field.
Hardships in Early Years:
One significant struggle in Caitlyn’s early life was dyslexia, which made school difficult. However, Caitlyn’s athletic prowess helped compensate for her academic challenges. In high school and later at Graceland College (now Graceland University), Caitlyn became more focused on sports, especially track and field.
Athletic Career and Stardom
Caitlyn Jenner initially pursued football but shifted focus to decathlon after a knee injury ended her football career. This shift would define her early life.
- 1972 Munich Olympics: Caitlyn competed in the decathlon, finishing in 10th place. This setback motivated her to intensify her training.
- 1976 Montreal Olympics: Jenner rose to stardom after winning the Olympic gold medal in the decathlon, setting a world record with 8,618 points. This victory solidified her as a national hero and a global athletic icon. Caitlyn became a symbol of American athleticism and patriotism, receiving numerous accolades, endorsements, and appearances on magazine covers.
After winning the gold, Jenner retired from athletics and transitioned to a career in the entertainment industry.
Post-Olympic Career and Personal Life
- Television and Endorsements: Following Olympic success, Jenner became a sought-after figure in Hollywood, appearing in commercials, films, and TV shows. She endorsed various brands, most notably Wheaties, and became a well-known face on American TV.
- Marriage and Family:
Caitlyn was married three times and has six biological children. With Chrystie Crownover, she had two children: Burt and Cassandra. With Linda Thompson, she had two more sons: Brandon and Brody. With Kris Jenner, Caitlyn had two daughters, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, both of whom became extremely famous in their own right, particularly in fashion and reality TV.
Ups and Downs in Personal Life
- Struggles with Gender Identity:
Despite public success, Caitlyn struggled privately with gender dysphoria from an early age. She revealed later in her life that she had secretly dealt with feelings of discomfort regarding her gender identity. This internal conflict affected many aspects of her personal life, including her relationships. - Reality TV Fame:
In 2007, Caitlyn’s life became even more public with the launch of the reality TV show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” alongside her then-wife Kris Jenner and their children. The show catapulted the entire Kardashian-Jenner family into unprecedented fame.
Gender Transition and Advocacy
In April 2015, Caitlyn publicly came out as a transgender woman in an interview with Diane Sawyer. She announced her new identity as Caitlyn Jenner in June 2015 with a now-iconic Vanity Fair cover titled “Call Me Caitlyn.” Her transition was one of the most publicized and significant events in LGBTQ+ history.
Challenges and Criticism:
- While Caitlyn was praised for her courage in coming out, she also faced criticism from some corners of the LGBTQ+ community for her privileged position and political views, which some felt were at odds with broader LGBTQ+ advocacy.
- She released a memoir titled “The Secrets of My Life” in 2017, where she shared more about her journey and experiences as a transgender woman.
Advocacy Work:
- Caitlyn has used her platform to speak on transgender rights and broader issues of acceptance. She starred in her own reality show, “I Am Cait”, which documented her transition and her advocacy efforts.
Recent Life and Ventures
- Political Involvement:
In 2021, Caitlyn announced her candidacy in the California gubernatorial recall election as a Republican, but her campaign did not gain much traction, and she did not win the election. - Continued Media Presence:
Caitlyn continues to be a public figure, participating in various media ventures, writing, and speaking at events about her experiences as an athlete and a transgender woman.
Physical Appearance & Measurements
- Age: 74 years old (as of 2023)
- Height: 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm)
- Weight: Approximately 194 lbs (88 kg)
- Body Type: Athletic
- Bra Size: Not publicly known, though Caitlyn has discussed her gender-affirming surgery.
- Hip Size: Not publicly known
- Eye Color: Brown
- Hair Color: Light brown/blonde
Summary
Caitlyn Jenner’s life has been filled with both great accomplishments and deep personal struggles. From her early athletic successes culminating in an Olympic gold medal to her groundbreaking role as a public figure advocating for transgender rights, Caitlyn has been a figure of public fascination. Her journey from Bruce Jenner, the all-American athlete, to Caitlyn Jenner, the transgender activist, is a testament to the power of authenticity and perseverance through personal hardship.