In a groundbreaking moment 16 years ago, Thomas Beatie made history as the world’s first man to give birth.
Born female but identifying as a transgender man, Thomas’s journey captured global attention when he welcomed his first child, daughter Susan. His story wasn’t just extraordinary—it challenged society’s perceptions of gender and parenthood.
Despite facing intense backlash and even death threats from those unwilling to accept his truth, Thomas remained steadfast. His courage paved the way for greater understanding and acceptance.
Today, Thomas is not only a proud father to Susan but also to two sons, growing his family and continuing to inspire millions with his authenticity and resilience.
Born in 1974 in Hawaii as Tracy Lehuanani LaGondino, Thomas’s path was clear early on. By age ten, he identified as a boy, and at 23, he began testosterone therapy—marking the start of a transformative journey that would forever change the narrative around gender and parenthood.
In his teenage years, Thomas’s determination and drive shone brightly. He carved out a unique path, becoming a successful model and even making it to the finals of the Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageant.
But his talents didn’t stop there — Thomas also excelled in martial arts, training rigorously in both karate and Taekwondo. His hard work paid off when he clinched the junior championship title at the 1992 Aloha State Games in Taekwondo, showcasing his strength and discipline both inside and outside the ring.
In 2002, Thomas underwent surgery to remove his breasts and officially changed his sex marker from “female” to “male” on both state and federal documents. However, he made the crucial choice to keep his female reproductive organs—a decision that would later enable him to become pregnant.
In a bold and unexpected move in 2006, Thomas paused his testosterone treatment with the hope of conceiving a child. Despite facing fertility challenges alongside his then-wife Nancy, Thomas embraced the extraordinary journey of carrying their baby himself.
The iconic image of Thomas Beatie with his heavily pregnant belly first captivated the world in 2008. Media outlets quickly dubbed him “the pregnant man,” and his story sparked global conversations about gender, family, and identity.
Yet the path was far from easy. Thomas endured a barrage of hate mail and death threats—sometimes even from established media. He recalled painful experiences of discrimination: doctors turning them away due to religious beliefs, healthcare professionals refusing to use male pronouns or recognize Nancy as his wife, and even receptionists mocking them. Support from friends and family was scarce; many of Nancy’s relatives were unaware Thomas was transgender.
After an intense 48-hour labor, Thomas and Nancy welcomed their first child, Susan—healthy and thriving. Thomas was determined to have a natural birth, defying expectations and making history. His case marked the first documented instance of a legally recognized male giving birth within a marital union with a woman.
Over the span of five years without testosterone, Thomas experienced four more pregnancies—one of which tragically ended in an ectopic pregnancy. Alongside his first wife, Nancy, he lovingly raised their daughter Susan and sons Austin and Jensen, embracing the role of a traditional family grounded in strong values.
In a landmark television appearance, Thomas Beatie captivated audiences worldwide with an exclusive hour-long interview on The Oprah Winfrey Show in April 2008. There, he passionately spoke about his belief in the fundamental reproductive right to bear a child—regardless of his male gender identity—sparking important conversations about family, identity, and acceptance on a global scale.
During the interview, Beatie stated with heartfelt conviction,
“It’s not a male or female desire to want to have a child; it’s a human desire. I’m a person, and I have the right to have my own biological child.”
His words resonated deeply, asserting personal autonomy and boldly challenging traditional views on gender and parenthood, inspiring many to rethink what family truly means.
In 2016, Thomas embarked on a new chapter, marrying his longtime partner Amber. Although they had known each other since 2012, a challenging divorce from Nancy delayed their wedding plans.
Together, Thomas and Amber relocated to Oregon, blending their family with Susan, Austin, Jensen, and Amber’s grandchild, Lily. Reflecting on their lively household, Thomas told the Daily Mail,
“It can get pretty loud with four kids aged 3, 5, 6, and 7, but we love it.”
Sixteen years after first stepping into the public eye, Thomas remains a familiar presence—occasionally appearing on social media and in the public eye.
In a recent interview with USA Today, Thomas shared updates on his life: he now works as a stockbroker in Phoenix and lives with Amber, whom he met at the daycare their children attended. His older kids split their time between his home and their mother’s, just ten miles away.
According to Thomas, he now leads a relatively quiet life, though he occasionally takes on public speaking engagements and modest acting roles.
Reflecting on the whirlwind of attention that first surrounded him 16 years ago—when his story dominated headlines—Thomas recognizes the profound impact those moments had on both his life and the broader conversation about transgender issues.
In a recent social media post, he asked playfully,
“À quel métier/rôle j’ai l’air?” (What profession or role do I look like?)
Now in his 50s, Thomas shared in an interview,
“When my story came out, there wasn’t a single person in the public eye as a transgender man—most people had never even heard of it.”
He added,
“This was before Chaz Bono. Before Caitlyn Jenner. Before anyone knew. It was the very first exposure for many people. And on top of that—they could give birth! I think raising awareness about fertility for trans people was a huge eye-opener.”
“It was a whirlwind,” he admitted, “but I still don’t regret it.”
