Bruce Jenner Happy at Last

Update: In June 2015, Caitlyn Jenner came out as a transgender woman. This content was written in February 2015 before Jenner publicly announced her full transition.

He’s an Olympic gold medalist. A father of six. The easygoing, sometimes beleaguered patriarch of America’s most famous reality-TV family, the Kardashians. But through his decades in the spotlight, Bruce Jenner never felt he could show the world who he really is—until now. “Bruce is transitioning to a woman,” says a source close to his family. “He is finally happy, and his family is accepting of what he’s doing. He’s in such a great space.” After months of speculation about his changing looks, Jenner, 65, plans to open up about his transition in a TV interview with Diane Sawyer and document the process in an E! series to air later this year. “He has come out to those closest to him,” adds the family source. “He’s so happy and excited.”

The news has made headlines around the world—and many in the transgender community hope Jenner’s fame will help foster greater understanding of the estimated 700,000 Americans on similar journeys. “I hope whatever Jenner is going through not only helps Jenner but all the rest of us,” says transgender author Jennifer Finney Boylan (see box). Meanwhile, his family have been working out their own feelings. When a calm, prepared Jenner sat down with his children to discuss his decision face-to-face, at least some of his kids were stunned by the revelation. “Bruce told them everything—where things stood and what his plans were for the future, what everyone could expect,” says a family insider. “The kids came around pretty quickly, but each of them had to process it in their own way. They’re trying to show him love and acceptance. All they want is for him to be happy.” (Since his family currently uses the pronoun “he” to refer to Jenner, PEOPLE is doing the same. “It’s important not to get too ahead of the person transitioning,” says Mary Andres, a clinical psychologist and associate professor of clinical education. “Let them take the lead and tell you when they’re ready to be called by a different name or pronoun.” Jenner did not respond to a request for comment on this story or for a preferred pronoun.)

A dad of six—from marriages to Chrystie Crownover, actress Linda Thompson and, most recently, reality matriarch Kris Jenner—Bruce also considers himself father to Kourtney, Kim, Khloé and Rob Kardashian, Kris’s kids from her marriage to the late Robert Kardashian. Even as the reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians launched the family into the pop-culture pantheon, some in Jenner’s inner circle say they’ve known for years he was struggling with his gender identity. Behind closed doors, “he dressed as a woman,” says a source in Jenner’s circle. “It was always very closeted. He would have other people buy him [women’s] clothes.”

Following his 2013 split from Kris, Jenner underwent subtle but significant emotional and physical changes. “At first it seemed Bruce was rebelling against Kris,” says a Kardashians production source. “He started to grow out his hair, and Kris didn’t approve of that.” In 2013 Jenner joked about the longer locks: “I turned 64 two weeks ago, and I still have hair to grow. I’m celebrating!” In December 2013 the reality star underwent a laryngeal shave to minimize the appearance of his Adam’s apple. And over the next year Jenner was photographed with manicured nails, highlights in his hair, diamond ear studs and lip gloss. Slowly, Jenner became more comfortable in his new look. “He walks in a more feminine way,” the production source said in November. “His body language is more feminine; he’s more soft-spoken.” And sheltered in a quiet beachside Malibu community, where he often surfs, golfs and flies his beloved helicopters with sons Brandon and Brody, Jenner soon began to warm to the notion of telling his family the whole truth. Says the insider: “There was a lot they didn’t know about their dad. The No. 1 thing is they all support Bruce.” Adds the source close to the family: “It is an intense thing. Different people have different reactions, but everybody loves him.” Reached by PEOPLE, Jenner’s son Burt says his father is “doing awesome.”

For his part Kourtney Kardashian’s boyfriend Scott Disick was “floored,” says the insider, “but is now on board.” Kim’s husband, Kanye West, “is totally fine with it,” the insider adds. “He believes in live and let live, and he took it all in stride.” Kim and her siblings are behind their dad too: “Kim checked with Kris first. Once she was satisfied that Kris was emotionally okay, she was able to give Bruce her unconditional support.”

Despite hints in Bruce’s behavior for years, multiple sources say that Kris was “shocked” by Bruce’s admission. “It’s really a hard adjustment for her,” says a source in Bruce’s inner circle. Adds the insider: “Kris had the most difficult time in the family. She’s looking back at their entire marriage, and a lot of things are suddenly making sense. She has had a lot to process.” Sources say Jenner, who remains attracted to women, hasn’t yet shared whether he plans to change his name or have more surgery. “No one feels deceived by Bruce,” says the insider. “He was going through this change slowly. It’s not like he woke up one day and was like, ‘Surprise!’ He moved through his own feelings and his own changes at his own pace.”

At his own pace—and on his own terms. “This is his story, and [his family] wants him to tell the world the way he wants,” says the source close to the family. “He’s more and more confident,” notes the production source. “He’s doing what makes him happy.” Jenner “is going to be relieved just being able to be himself,” says Laura Jane Grace, the lead singer of punk band Against Me!, who revealed her transition from male to female in Rolling Stone in 2012. “Being in control of the dialogue … that’s what it should be about.”

As the dust from Jenner’s announcement settles, those close to him hope he will get the support and respect he deserves. Says the source in Jenner’s circle: “He’s 65. That’s a long time to keep something secret.” Sharing his truth has been like “laying down a bag of bricks,” says the source close to the family. “It’s liberating. He’s been through a dark period and is coming out on the other side.”