Caitlyn Jenner has lived multiple lives in the public eye. From Olympic glory to reality TV stardom, her transformation has been one of the most widely discussed in modern pop culture. But despite fully embracing her identity as Caitlyn, she has admitted something unexpected—she still feels that ‘Bruce’ lives inside her.
This revelation raises deeper questions about identity, memory, and the remnants of a past self that never fully disappear. How does Caitlyn reconcile these emotions with her transition? And how has this shaped her journey post-Hollywood?
Here’s everything you need to know about Caitlyn Jenner’s life, struggles, and the lasting imprint of Bruce.
From Dyslexic Child to World-Class Athlete
Born William Bruce Jenner on October 28, 1949, in Mount Kisco, New York, Caitlyn grew up battling dyslexia, but she found salvation in sports. Her natural athletic ability was undeniable. She excelled in football, basketball, and water skiing, but her true passion would emerge later—track and field.
Caitlyn’s raw talent led to a football scholarship at Graceland College in Iowa. However, a knee injury ended her football dreams, forcing her to pivot. Her track and field coach, L.D. Weldon, recognized her potential and convinced her to train for the Olympic decathlon, a grueling ten-event competition that would later define her career.
The Olympic Triumph That Made Jenner a Hero
In 1971, Caitlyn shocked the sports world by winning the Kansas Relays, and just a year later, she qualified for the 1972 Munich Olympics, finishing tenth in the decathlon. It was an incredible achievement, but she wasn’t satisfied.
Determined to push herself further, Jenner trained relentlessly for eight hours a day, every day, for four years.
Then, in Montreal, 1976, Caitlyn achieved sports immortality. She won the Olympic decathlon, shattered a world record with 8,618 points, and became an American icon overnight.
Her long, lionlike hair and rugged masculinity made her a symbol of heroism during a time of national turmoil. But inside, she felt like a woman wearing a disguise.
“I see a confused person at that time, running away from my life … with big-time fear,” she later admitted.
The Dark Side of Fame: Living a Double Life
Caitlyn’s Olympic victory didn’t just bring glory—it brought fame, endorsements, and Hollywood opportunities. She starred in TV shows, movies, and commercials, even becoming the face of Wheaties cereal.
But behind the scenes, she was battling an internal war.
“I’d stand on stage with everyone cheering, but inside, I felt like a liar,” she recalled. “I was totally empty inside.”
Despite her outward success, Jenner struggled with gender dysphoria and the overwhelming pressure of maintaining a false public image.
Marriages, Family, and a Secret Struggle
Caitlyn married Chrystie Scott in 1971, and they had two children, Burt and Cassandra. However, their marriage ended in 1980, as Jenner struggled with her identity.
“I told her about my issues,” she later said. “But at the time, no one really understood.”
In 1981, she married Linda Thompson, and they had two sons, Brandon and Brody. Their marriage ended five years later, with Linda later revealing that Jenner’s gender identity struggle was a key factor in their split.
After years of internal turmoil, Caitlyn sought professional help in the late ’80s. She began taking estrogen, underwent electrolysis to remove facial hair, and even started developing breasts.
By her 39th birthday, she had planned to transition fully—but then, she stopped.
The Kris Jenner Years: Hiding in Plain Sight
In 1991, Caitlyn married Kris Jenner, marking the beginning of the Jenner-Kardashian media empire. Together, they had Kendall and Kylie Jenner and became reality TV royalty through Keeping Up With the Kardashians.
Despite the public glamour, Caitlyn felt like a fraud. She had halted her transition years earlier, but the struggle never disappeared.
By 2013, Caitlyn and Kris separated, and in 2014, she resumed her transition—without telling her children.
Caitlyn Jenner’s Transition and the Birth of a New Identity
In April 2015, Caitlyn Jenner came out as transgender in a groundbreaking interview with Diane Sawyer.
“For all intents and purposes, I am a woman,” she declared.
That same year, she graced the cover of Vanity Fair with the now-famous headline: “Call Me Caitlyn.”
The response was overwhelming. While many celebrated her courage, she also faced intense backlash, particularly from conservative audiences and former allies.
But despite the public divide, Caitlyn embraced her new identity.
Even after years of living as Caitlyn, she acknowledges that Bruce hasn’t completely disappeared.
“Bruce was a part of my life for 65 years. It’s impossible to just erase that overnight,” she explained.
She still enjoys car racing, flying planes, and other hobbies she once loved as Bruce.
Her children—especially Kendall and Kylie—still call her “Dad,” and she has no problem with it.
“I’ll always be their father. That’s a role that will never change,” she said.
Her honesty about her lingering connection to Bruce has sparked important conversations about identity. Does transitioning mean completely erasing the past? Or is it possible to embrace both the past and the present?
Caitlyn Jenner’s Net Worth and Legacy
Today, Caitlyn Jenner is worth an estimated $100 million, thanks to endorsements, reality TV, and book deals.
Her journey has been anything but easy, but she remains one of the most well-known transgender figures in the world.
Her admission that Bruce still “lives inside” her adds a new layer to her story—one that challenges traditional narratives about transition and self-acceptance.
Does identity ever truly change? Or do pieces of our former selves always remain?
Caitlyn Jenner’s life proves that identity is complex, evolving, and deeply personal.
