Caitlyn Jenner planned to secretly have a gender transition and return as a "female relative" to her sons in 1985.

Caitlyn Jenner

Caitlyn Jenner

The 'I Am Cait' star - who was born male and known as Bruce Jenner until last year - confided in then-wife Linda Thompson to say she was transgender and in a "living hell", so the couple sought therapy.

However, while having the sessions, Linda - who has sons Brandon and Brody with the former Olympian - was shocked when her spouse admitted he was considering undergoing a transition anonymously.

She wrote in her new book, 'A Little Thing Called Life': "As we tried to work through our feelings. Bruce told me he was considering traveling out of the country, possibly to Denmark, to try to have the gender reassignment surgery anonymously and then come back as a female."

She recalled asking about the children, and added: "He thought maybe he would reenter their lives as a female relative. He was grasping for a lifeline. As devastated as I was, my heart bled for Bruce."

Bruce told Linda he still loved her and wanted them to stay married after transitioning, but she knew then that their relationship was over, though she kept his secret for years.

In extracts from the book obtained by People magazine, she added: "I felt such an obligation to keep Bruce's gender dysphoria his secret that I did not even tell my sons until they were 31 and 29 years old, respectively.

"I wanted them to experience enough life and garner enough knowledge, confidence and compassion to be able to deal with their father's true self."

After splitting from Linda, Bruce - who has kids Burt and Casey with first wife Chrystie Scott - went on to marry Kris Jenner and have daughters Kendall and Kylie, but they split in 2013.

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