Early Life and Education of Caitlyn Jenner: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Caitlyn Jenner. A timeline of key moments.

Caitlyn Jenner is an American media personality and retired Olympic gold medal-winning decathlete, formerly known as Bruce Jenner. Jenner gained global recognition for winning gold in the decathlon at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In later life, Jenner publicly came out as a trans woman in 2015, becoming a prominent figure in the transgender community. This transition was documented in a reality television series, 'I Am Cait,' which explored her journey and the challenges faced by transgender individuals. Beyond athletics and media, Jenner has also ventured into politics, running as a Republican candidate in the 2021 California gubernatorial recall election.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

October 28, 1949: William Bruce Jenner Born

On October 28, 1949, William Bruce Jenner, who later became Caitlyn Marie Jenner, was born in Mount Kisco, New York.

Others born on this day/year

1968: Graduation from High School

In 1968, Jenner graduated from Newtown High School in Newtown, Connecticut.

1972: Olympics and Amateur Status

During the Cold War in 1972, three major Olympic titles that had a long history of American success were won by Soviet athletes. Jenner became an American hero by returning the decathlon title to the United States.

1972: Marriage to Chrystie Scott

In 1972, Jenner married Chrystie Scott (née Crownover).

1973: Graduation from Graceland College

In 1973, Jenner graduated from Graceland College with a degree in physical education.

November 30, 1976: Brother Burt's Death

On November 30, 1976, Jenner's younger brother, Burt, was killed in a car accident in Canton, Connecticut.

January 5, 1981: Marriage to Linda Thompson

On January 5, 1981, Jenner married songwriter Linda Thompson in Hawaii.

January 1981: Divorce from Chrystie Scott Finalized

In January 1981, Jenner's divorce from Chrystie Scott (née Crownover), whom she married in 1972, was finalized. They have two children, including son Burt.

February 1986: Separation and divorce from Linda Thompson

By February 1986, Jenner and Linda Thompson had separated and subsequently divorced.

April 21, 1991: Marriage to Kris Kardashian

On April 21, 1991, Jenner married Kris Kardashian (née Houghton) after five months of dating.

1991: Marriage to Kris Kardashian after stopping hormone replacement therapy

In 1991, Jenner married Kris Kardashian after stopping hormone replacement therapy when their romance became more serious.

June 2013: Separation from Kris Kardashian

In June 2013, Jenner and Kris Kardashian separated; however, the separation was not made public until October.

2013: Robin Roberts receiving Arthur Ashe Courage Award

In 2013, Robin Roberts, an anchorwoman, received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

September 2014: Kris Kardashian files for divorce

In September 2014, Kris Kardashian filed for divorce from Jenner, citing irreconcilable differences.

December 2014: Finalization of divorce terms

In December 2014, the divorce terms between Jenner and Kris Kardashian were finalized.

2014: Michael Sam receiving Arthur Ashe Courage Award

In 2014, Michael Sam, an openly LGBT footballer, received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

March 23, 2015: Divorce from Kris Kardashian finalized

On March 23, 2015, the divorce between Jenner and Kris Kardashian was finalized, going into effect after a six-month delay.

April 2015: Coming out as a trans woman

In April 2015, Jenner came out as a trans woman in a 20/20 television interview with Diane Sawyer, discussing her lifelong struggle with gender dysphoria.

May 2015: Filming and airing of Keeping Up with the Kardashians: About Bruce

In May 2015, a two-part special titled 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians: About Bruce' was filmed and aired, preparing her children for the personal and public aspects of her transition.

June 2015: Private appearance at Los Angeles LGBT Center

In June 2015, Caitlyn Jenner made a private appearance at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where she spoke with trans youth, after coming out as a trans woman.

June 2015: Debut of new name and image

In June 2015, Jenner debuted her new name and image, and began publicly using feminine pronouns.

June 2015: Name Change

In June 2015, William Bruce Jenner was known as Bruce, before changing names to Caitlyn Marie Jenner.

July 2015: Receiving Arthur Ashe Courage Award

In July 2015, Caitlyn Jenner received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award during the 2015 ESPY Awards for embracing her truth and helping educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces.

July 2015: Renaming Ceremony

In July 2015, Jenner held a renaming ceremony, adopting the name Caitlyn Marie Jenner.

July 2015: Premiere of I Am Cait

In July 2015, the eight-part TV documentary series "I Am Cait" premiered on E! to an audience of 2.7 million viewers. The show focused on Jenner's transition and its impact on her relationships.

September 2015: Legal change of name and gender

In September 2015, Jenner's name was legally changed to Caitlyn Marie Jenner and her gender to female.

October 2015: "I Am Cait" renewed for second season

In October 2015, the TV documentary series "I Am Cait" was renewed for a second season.

2015: Diane Sawyer interview

In 2015, Caitlyn Jenner did an interview with Diane Sawyer.

2015: Identification as asexual

In 2015, Jenner stated that she has never been sexually attracted to men, but always to women, and given the difficulty many people have understanding the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity, she would identify as asexual for the time being.

2015: Vanity Fair cover and Twitter debut

In 2015, Jenner's emerging gender identity was revealed in a Vanity Fair interview. Jenner also debuted on Twitter, amassing over one million followers in four hours and three minutes, setting a Guinness World Record. Four days later Jenner was up to 2.37 million followers, with another 1.5 million followers on Instagram.

2015: General Mills Response to Jenner Coming Out

In 2015, when Jenner came out as a trans woman, General Mills initially stated that "Bruce Jenner continues to be a respected member of Team Wheaties" and later clarified that "Bruce Jenner has been a respected member of Team Wheaties, and Caitlyn Jenner will continue to be."

2015: Recognition as Person of the Year and Out100

In November 2015, Caitlyn Jenner was listed as a runner-up for The Advocate's Person of the Year and was named "Newsmaker of the Year" on the Out100 list by Out magazine.

March 6, 2016: Premiere of second season of I Am Cait

On March 6, 2016, the second season of "I Am Cait" premiered. In 2016, the show tied for Outstanding Reality Program at the GLAAD Media Awards.

April 2016: Listed on Out magazine's Power 50 list

In April 2016, Caitlyn Jenner was listed as No. 8 on Out magazine's Power 50 list.

April 2016: Involvement in Republican presidential primaries

In April 2016, Jenner became an exemplar for Donald Trump's opposition to North Carolina's Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act. Jenner soon posted a video showing that she had taken Trump up on his offer to use any restroom of her choosing at his Trump Tower property.

June 2016: Trump's promise to fight for the LGBT community

In June 2016, Donald Trump tweeted his promise to fight for the LGBT community, a tweet that Caitlyn Jenner later juxtaposed with his 2017 ban on transgender people from serving in the military.

2016: Stance on Republican presidential primaries and Donald Trump

In 2016, Caitlyn Jenner expressed leaning towards political conservatism as a Republican, and stated she liked Ted Cruz in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries. Though not endorsing Donald Trump, she suggested he would be good for women's issues but stated she would never support Hillary Clinton. Jenner said she voted for Trump in the 2016 presidential election, although voter records suggest she never cast a ballot.

2016: Cover of The Advocate's February/March issue

In 2016, Caitlyn Jenner was featured on the cover of The Advocate's February/March issue.

January 2017: Completion of gender-affirming surgery

In January 2017, Jenner completed gender-affirming surgery.

February 2017: Response to Trump rescinding transgender student rights

In February 2017, following President Trump's decision to rescind federal requirements granting transgender students the right to choose the school restroom matching their gender identity, Caitlyn Jenner tweeted to Trump, criticizing the decision and reminding him of his promise to protect the LGBTQ community.

April 2017: Support for same-sex marriage

In April 2017, Caitlyn Jenner voiced her support for same-sex marriage.

April 25, 2017: Publication of memoir, The Secrets of My Life

On April 25, 2017, Caitlyn Jenner's memoir, "The Secrets of My Life", was published.

The Secrets of My Life

Check it on Amazon

July 2017: Contemplation of Senate run and condemnation of transgender military ban

In July 2017, Caitlyn Jenner considered running in the 2018 race for the U.S. Senate to represent California. Also in July 2017, she condemned President Trump's order reinstating a ban on transgender people from serving in the military.

October 2018: Withdrawal of support for Donald Trump

In October 2018, Caitlyn Jenner withdrew her support for Donald Trump, citing the Trump administration's relentless attacks on the trans community.

2018: Possible senate run

In July 2017, Caitlyn Jenner contemplated running in the 2018 race for the U.S. Senate to represent California.

April 2021: Consideration and launch of campaign for Governor of California

In early April 2021, it was reported that Caitlyn Jenner was considering running for Governor of California in the 2021 recall gubernatorial election as a Republican. Later in April 2021, on April 23, Jenner officially launched her campaign.

May 2021: Views on transgender girls in sports

In May 2021, during her run for governor, Caitlyn Jenner stated that trans girls should not be allowed to compete in girls' sports at school, aligning with Republican Party views. Jenner reiterated her views on Twitter, stating it's about fairness and protecting girls' sports, leading to criticism from transgender rights advocates.

September 2021: Support of the Texas Heartbeat Act

In September 2021, Caitlyn Jenner supported the Texas Heartbeat Act, which made all post-six-week abortions illegal, sparking widespread criticism.

2021: Criticism for views on transgender issues and support for Republican Party

In 2021, Caitlyn Jenner's decision to run for governor of California received pushback from LGBT activists and trans people, citing concerns about her views on transgender issues and support for the Republican Party. Her opposition to trans girls in girls' sports also drew criticism.

2021: Gubernatorial Recall Election and Fox News

In 2021, Jenner ran in the California gubernatorial recall election and finished 13th with one percent of the vote. Six months later, Jenner was hired by Fox News as an on-air contributor.