Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic gold medalist and television personality, has navigated a complex and often public romantic life, marked by three marriages and the profound journey of her gender transition. Her relationships have spanned decades, evolving from private unions to highly scrutinized partnerships, each playing a significant role in shaping her personal narrative.
Jenner's first marriage was to Chrystie Scott (née Crownover). They tied the knot in 1972, the same year Jenner made her Olympic debut. Their union lasted for nine years, concluding in 1981. During their marriage, they welcomed two children: son Burt Jenner (born 1978) and daughter Cassandra "Casey" Marino (born 1980). Public reports indicate that early in their marriage, Jenner confided in Scott about her struggles with gender identity, describing a "fantasy" of being a woman. Scott later confirmed that Jenner discussed these feelings during their first year of marriage in 1972, a revelation that came as a shock despite Jenner's outwardly masculine demeanor. Scott remained supportive of Jenner's journey, even attending the 2015 Diane Sawyer interview where Jenner publicly came out as transgender.
Shortly after her divorce from Chrystie Scott, Jenner married her second wife, Linda Thompson, a former beauty pageant winner and songwriter. Their wedding took place on January 5, 1981, in Oahu, Hawaii. This marriage lasted for five years, ending in divorce in February 1986. Together, they had two sons: Brandon Jenner (born 1981) and Brody Jenner (born 1983). Thompson revealed in her memoir, "A Little Thing Called Life," that Jenner confided in her about her gender dysphoria in 1985, stating, "I am a woman trapped in a man's body." This admission led to a period of confusion and desperation for Thompson, and despite attempts at therapy, the couple ultimately separated. Thompson maintained Jenner's secret for decades, respecting her privacy until Jenner's public transition. Their relationship post-divorce has remained amicable, with Thompson expressing continued support for Caitlyn.
Jenner's most high-profile marriage was to Kris Jenner (née Houghton), which began on April 21, 1991, just one month after Kris's divorce from Robert Kardashian Sr. This union lasted for 23 years, making it her longest marriage, and ended with their separation in October 2013 and divorce finalized in March 2015. Together, they had two daughters: Kendall Jenner (born 1995) and Kylie Jenner (born 1997). Through this marriage, Caitlyn also became a stepparent to Kris's four children from her previous marriage: Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, and Rob Kardashian. The family's life, including their marriage and eventual separation, became a central theme of the immensely popular reality television series Keeping Up with the Kardashians. While Caitlyn stated that her gender identity was not the primary reason for their split, Kris later expressed feeling "blindsided" by the public announcement of Caitlyn's transition, despite previous knowledge of her hormone use in the 1980s. The relationship between Caitlyn and Kris, as well as with some of the Kardashian children, became strained following comments Caitlyn made in her 2017 memoir, "The Secrets of My Life."
Following her public transition in 2015, Caitlyn Jenner has been open about her evolving perspective on relationships. While she has not publicly confirmed any long-term romantic partners since her divorce from Kris, she has made statements regarding her dating life. In a 2016 episode of her reality show I Am Cait, she stated, > "To be honest with you, I don’t see myself dating women in the future. I’ve been there, done that, got three ex-wives." This statement indicated a shift in her romantic preferences post-transition. She has been seen attending family events with her ex-wives and children, maintaining a civil, if sometimes complex, relationship with them. Caitlyn has largely focused on her advocacy for transgender rights and her political endeavors, rather than public romantic relationships, since her transition. Her journey highlights a profound personal evolution, impacting not only her own identity but also the dynamics of her family and public perception of her romantic history.