After months of rumours and speculation, it has been confirmed that Olympic gold medallist and former patriarch of the Kardashian family, Bruce Jenner (65), is indeed transitioning to become a woman. In a revealing interview, Bruce’s mother Esther Jenner (88) has spoken out about the dramatic changes the reality star is currently going through – and says she couldn’t be more proud of her brave son.
“I just learned about [his transition]. Bruce filled me in, and we had a very long, long, long talk about it,” she says. “Right now, I am more proud of him for what he’s allowing himself to do. I am more proud of him now than when he stood on that podium and put the gold medal around his neck. He deserves all the respect… I support him whole-heartedly. I just love him like I always have.”
Bruce Jenner’s mother, Esther Jenner (88), is proud of her son becoming a woman.
It’s the first official news of Bruce’s journey to become a woman, after a year of gossip. The father-of-six and stepfather of Kourtney (35), Kim (34), Khloé (30) and Rob Kardashian (27) has been making gradual changes to his appearance for months – growing his hair long, polishing his nails and even having his Adam’s apple reduced for a more feminine appearance.
“The decision wasn’t made overnight, but has been done thoughtfully over the past year,” an insider says, adding that Bruce will indeed undergo gender reassignment surgery. “He has been in counselling as required by the surgeon, and his doctor believes Bruce is psychologically prepared to become a woman.”
And, despite reports to the contrary, Bruce’s entire family is behind him, including his estranged wife Kris Jenner (59), whose divorce from Bruce will be finalised in March. “The number one thing is they all support Bruce,” a family friend says. “Kris has been great and anything that says the opposite just isn’t true. It’s a really hard adjustment for her and a shock but she 100% supports him.”
Bruce with his supportive daughters (from left): Kim, Kendall, Kylie, Kourtney and Khloe.
Bruce’s youngest children, Kendall (19) and Kylie Jenner (17), are said to have struggled with the news, but have now accepted their father’s wishes, and just want him to be happy.“There was a lot they didn’t know about their dad,” the friend admits.
Kim hinted at Bruce’s personal struggles in an interview last week, saying her stepdad will share what he is going through “whenever the time is right”. That time, sources say, is now, with Bruce, who is already living as a woman behind the walls of his Malibu home, to sit down with journalist Diane Sawyer for an explosive tell-all. Production is also already underway for a new reality series, rumoured to be titled Trans Jenner, which will document Bruce’s journey.
Words by: Vivienne Archer
