Sixteen years ago, Thomas Beatie made history as the world’s first pregnant man. His groundbreaking story captured global attention, challenging traditional views of gender, family, and parenthood.

Born Tracy Lehuanani LaGondino in Hawaii in 1974, Thomas identified as male from a young age. By ten years old, he already felt a deep connection to his male identity. At twenty-three, he started testosterone therapy, officially transitioning while maintaining his female reproductive organs. This decision would later enable him to conceive and give birth to his children.

Thomas was an ambitious and talented individual during his youth. He pursued modeling, even reaching the Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageant finals. Additionally, he trained in martial arts, mastering Taekwondo and Karate. In 1992, his skills earned him a junior championship at the Aloha State Games.

By 2002, Thomas underwent top surgery to remove his breasts and legally changed his gender marker on state and federal documents. However, he made the life-changing choice to retain his uterus and ovaries, allowing him to carry a child in the future.

The Journey to Parenthood

In 2006, Thomas and his then-wife, Nancy, faced fertility struggles. Determined to have a biological child, Thomas stopped taking testosterone and decided to carry the pregnancy himself. The couple conceived through artificial insemination, and in 2008, Thomas gained worldwide fame when a photo of his pregnant belly went viral.

Dubbed “The Pregnant Man” by the media, Thomas sparked intense debate. While some praised his courage, others expressed outrage, even issuing death threats. Medical professionals, citing religious beliefs, sometimes refused him care. Doctors misgendered him, and Nancy was often not recognized as his wife. Their journey was filled with hurdles, but Thomas remained steadfast.

Despite societal pushback, Thomas successfully gave birth to a healthy daughter, Susan, after 48 hours of labor. His case made history as the first legally recognized man to give birth while married.

Over the next five years, Thomas conceived four more times—one resulting in an ectopic pregnancy. He and Nancy went on to have two more sons, Austin and Jensen, raising their family with strong values and love.

Public Recognition and Media Influence

Thomas’s story became a defining moment in discussions on gender identity and reproductive rights. In April 2008, he appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, sharing his experience with millions worldwide. He championed the right to have biological children regardless of gender, emphasizing:

“Wanting a child is a human desire. I have the right to have my own biological child because I am human.”

His interview challenged societal norms, forcing many to reconsider their perspectives on transgender parenthood.

Life After the Spotlight

By 2016, Thomas had started a new chapter, marrying Amber, a woman he had known since 2012. Their wedding was delayed due to his complicated divorce from Nancy, but once married, they built a blended family. Along with Thomas’s three children, Amber’s granddaughter, Lily, became part of their household.

The couple moved to Oregon, embracing a lively home life. In an interview with Daily Mail, Thomas described their bustling household:

“With four kids ages three, five, six, and seven, it can get pretty loud, but we love it.”

Though Thomas’s public presence has decreased over time, he occasionally shares updates on social media and in the press. In a recent interview with USA Today, he revealed that he now works as a stockbroker in Phoenix, Arizona. He lives with Amber, whom he met at his children’s daycare, and enjoys a quiet life. His older children split their time between his home and their mother’s, who lives about ten miles away.

Despite stepping away from the media frenzy, Thomas occasionally takes on small acting roles and speaks at public events. Reflecting on his fame, he acknowledges the lasting impact of his story.

A Legacy That Changed the Conversation

Thomas recognizes that when his story broke, there were few public transgender figures. He recalls:

“When my story came out, there wasn’t a single transgender man in the public eye—most people had never even heard of it.”

Before Chaz Bono. Before Caitlyn Jenner. Before transgender issues became widely discussed, Thomas Beatie became the face of a new narrative—one that opened the world’s eyes to the reality of transgender fertility and parenthood.

Looking back, he doesn’t regret the journey.

“Everything happened in a blur,” he said. “But I still don’t regret it.”

His pioneering experience continues to inspire discussions about gender identity, reproductive rights, and family dynamics. Thomas Beatie’s journey, once met with skepticism and controversy, is now an integral part of the broader conversation on what it truly means to be a parent.