65-year-oldBruce Jenner got almost 17million people tuned in to ABC on Friday to hear him as he publicly identified himself as a female when he tearfully told Sawyer in front of millions of viewers: 'For all intents and purposes, I am a woman.
'My brain is much more female than it is male. That's what my soul is. Bruce lives a lie. She is not a lie.' He firmly added: 'I can't do it anymore.'
During the interview, Bruce also admitted that he has been regularly taking female hormones - and plans to completely transform into a woman.
BRUCE JENNER'S GENDER TRANSITION TIMELINE
January 2012: Ellen Pierson, who married Kris Jenner's ex-husband Robert Kardashian, claimed Bruce had been a cross-dresser 'for years.' She claimed his first wife Chrystie Crownover told her he had a penchant for women's clothing, shoes and lingerie.
That same month Star magazine alleged that Kris was unfazed by her husband's odd habit and that he continued to cross-dress for years after their 1991 wedding.
January 2014: The Olympic gold medalist reportedly underwent a laryngeal shave to flatted his Adam's Apple.
May 2014: Bruce refused to cut his long hair for Kim Kardashian's wedding to Kanye West, despite pressure from the bride and his estranged wife Kris Jenner.
August 2014: Photos appeared to show Bruce had breasts, sparking rumors he was having hormone therapy as he explored the idea of transitioning from male to female.
September 2014: As his divorce from Kris was being finalized, Bruce had started growing out his hair and shaving his legs.
November 2014: He was spotted on various occasions wearing nail polish, a sports bra and Spanx.
December 2014: Bruce's first wife Chrystie Scott (nee Crownover) spoke out publicly in support of her former husband, saying 'I just want him to be happy.'
January 2015: When asked about her step-father's changing appearance, Kim Kardashian said he was on a 'journey' and added: 'He'll share whenever the time is right.'
February 2015: TMZ reported that Bruce told his family that he has known he was meant to be a female since the age of five.
March 2015: People magazine claims his ex-wives Chrystie Crownover and Linda Thompson knew how he felt and both were supportive.
The same month he had rhinoplasty to give himself a more feminine nose.(This followed years of surgical procedures which began with a face-lift in the 1980s.)
March 31: It was claimed he'd had breast implants.
April 6: ABC News announced that Bruce would do an 'far-ranging' interview with Diane Sawyer.
April 24: Bruce finally confirms his gender transition, telling Sawyer: 'I am a woman.'
HOW BRUCE JENNER'S FAMILY SHOWED SUPPORT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
KRIS JENNER: 'Not only was I able to call him my husband for 25 years and father of my children, I am now able to call him my hero.' (She also lashed out out at Diane Sawyer for claiming she did not provide a comment to ABC on Bruce).
KIM KARDASHIAN: 'Love is the courage to live the truest, best version of yourself. Bruce is love. I love you Bruce. #ProudDaughter'
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN: 'Couldn't be a more proud daughter. With courage and bravery, let's change the world. I am honored to stand by Bruce's side and support him.'
SCOTT DISICK: No public comment as yet.
KHLOE KARDASHIAN: 'Just finished watching the #BruceJennerInterview with the family. Bruzer, I'm soooo proud of you! Dads really are heros'
ROB KARDASHIAN: 'You have always been a role model to me and now more than ever, I look up to you. LOVE YOU!'
KENDALL JENNER: 'I love you. so very proud of you, my hero.'
KYLIE JENNER: 'Understandingly, this has been very hard for me. You will hear what I have to say when I'm ready to but this isn't about me. I'm so proud of you, Dad. You are so brave. My beautiful Hero.'
BRANDON JENNER 'Proud son.' (Brandon and his wife Leah joined his siblings Burt, Brody and Casey on the Diane Sawyer interview, where they all voiced their support for Bruce.)
HOW HOLLYWOOD REACTED TO BRUCE JENNER'S INTERVIEW
LAVERNE COX: Sending lots of love and support to #BruceJenner and their family tonight. It is always brave to stand in one's truth. Congrats darling.
ROB LOWE: I was proud of Bruce Jenner in Montreal and I'm proud of him tonight. Some have to fight more than the rest of us for their happiness.
ELLEN DEGENERES: Bruce Jenner is a beautiful, brave human being. Sending him lots of love. He's saving lives and opening minds tonight.
MILEY CYRUS: I LOOOOVE LOOOVE LOOOVE Bruce Jenner!!!!!!!
LADY GAGA: #BruceJennerABC Now that is bravery. We have the chance to write this moment in history together. Let's empower people like Bruce all over the world by being loving & not mean
JIMMY FALLON: One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. #BruceJenner #Brave
LARRY KING: I've interviewed #BruceJenner many times, and I'm in his corner. I support him & offer my respect.
ANDY COHEN: Mazel Tov to #BruceJenner - very very brave!!!
ELTON JOHN It's an incredibly brave thing to do, especially when you're older. I admire him for doing it and I support him 100 percent.
DR PHIL McGRAW I am so happy for him. This is his body and his life, and he needs to do what he wants to do. It drains your spirit if you can't be yourself. He is freeing himself.
LENA DUNHAM: I think it's an incredibly powerful and brave move to disclose anything about your gender identity or sexuality in such a judgmental society. The interview is going to mean a lot to a lot of young people.
PATRICIA ARQUETTE: You have to be so brave to live this truth of who you are. And if Mrs. Jenner is transitioning, I give all my support to her and love and appreciate everything she’s given to America. She’s fighting a fight for a lot of kids that are being kicked out of their own homes. Society turns their back on these kids and it’s really brutal.
BOY GEORGE: I absolutely applaud what [Jenner’s] doing and I think it’s very brave. And it actually makes me quite emotional. [Jenner] has my 150 percent support in every way. I think that the whole transgender thing is the new frontier.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG: This is going to be a little bit of a game changer for people, and dealing with family and how people feel and having those conversations, this is going to be much bigger than ABC or Diane (Sawyer),
JEFFREY TAMBOR: Any movement toward authenticity is an important movement and everyone can relate to it.
DONALD TRUMP: It's very sad because he doesn't seem very happy, and maybe whatever he’s going to be doing will make him happy. If he's happy, I'm happy.
KIRSTIE ALLEY: Trying to find a place for myself midst a world that has mistaken bravery for insanity...Mandela was brave...the rest of this sh*t is absurd. (She later insisted the tweet had nothing to do with Bruce).
WENDY WILLIAMS: I feel duped by Bruce… I don’t feel duped because he’s turning into a woman. I feel duped because he’s the same fame whore as the rest of the family. Bruce has bigger fish to fry than turning into Belinda. He should have thought about [transitioning] before he had all the kids… Belinda, shame on you!
KRIS HUMPHRIES: Man, I'm glad I got out when I did. #Gottadoyou
