Bruce Jenner may have won the gold metal in the decathlon in 1976, but these days he’s finding fame in a whole new light. The patriarch figure known for his role on the E! Network series “Keeping Up With The Kardashians” has been making waves in celebrity gossip with speculations about a gender change.

The media went into a frenzy as photos made their rounds on the popular tabloid circuits and social media sites. Jenner himself has yet to come forward about the transition but nevertheless, there have been announcements of a Diane Sawyer interview with Bruce Jenner as well as a docu-series to be aired on E! Network in May.

Jenner is the father to six children from three different marriages, as well as four stepchildren with Kris Jenner. Fortunately his children are all happy for him and state they have noticed that he is much happier. A recent interview with Bruce Jenner’s mother, Esther Jenner, indicates that she is also supportive of his decision. However, many reports indicate that Kris Jenner, his wife of 22 years, was not on board.

Kris Jenner, the female head of the Kardashian clan, reportedly urged Bruce Jenner to suppress his desires for a transition for many years. Individuals close to the family report that her claims that it would be damaging for the family are what prevented it from occurring all of these years. Kris and Bruce announced they were separating in October 2013 and the divorce was finalized in December 2014.

In October, just months before the divorce finalized, speculation began after Jenner was spotted in public with longer hair. According to family members, Jenner has identified as a female since five years old. His decision to transition wasn’t made in haste. A source points out that Jenner has been meeting with a psychologist for several years per the requirement of his plastic surgeon. His doctors believe he is psychologically ready to become a woman and so the transition has begun.

In order to allow his family to adjust to the transition, Jenner made gradual transitions. He started by piercing his ears and was spotted in public wearing very small earrings. Following his separation in 2013, he grew out his hair out and started getting manicures and shaving his legs. While the children all admit it took some getting used to, these small changes lit the way towards his gender reassignment.

In 2013, Jenner underwent a laryngeal shave to flatten his Adam’s Apple. When asked about the procedure Jenner stated, “I just never liked my trachea.” In August 2014 it appeared that Jenner was receiving hormonal treatments. He was spotted with larger breasts, presumably from the increased estrogen levels. Although he has already undergone two nose jobs – a botched job in 2009 and the following to repair it – some expect that Jenner may have his nose narrowed further. His procedures would likely be confirmed in his docuseries in May.

Sources say Bruce, who is currently dating Ronda Kamihira, plans to continue to date women. Kamihira is the former assistant to his now ex-wife, Kris Jenner. Other sources state that Bruce will identify as ‘Belinda’ following his procedures. As gender identity reassignment gains public acceptance, some individuals are seeing Jenner as the new face of the transgender community. Until Bruce Jenner makes the announcement himself, the media will continue to speculate about his future.

[Bruce Jenner is identified as ‘he’ throughout this article until gender reassignment has been confirmed.]