In a groundbreaking moment 16 years ago, Thomas Beatie etched his name in history as the world’s first man to undergo pregnancy.
Born female, Thomas underwent a gender transition, now identifying as a transgender man. The global spotlight shone on him when news broke of his remarkable journey to parenthood with the birth of his first daughter, Susan.
Thomas Beatie faced death threats for defying gender norms but remained steadfast in his identity. Born in Hawaii in 1974, he identified as male from childhood and began testosterone therapy at 23. A former model and Taekwondo champion, he later transitioned, keeping his reproductive organs—allowing him to make history as a pregnant man.
In 2008, the image of Thomas Beatie’s pregnant belly stunned the world, earning him the title “the pregnant man.” His journey was met with backlash, including hate mail and discrimination from doctors. Despite challenges, he gave birth to Susan after 48 hours of labor, making history as the first legally recognized man to give birth. In April 2008, he shared his story on The Oprah Winfrey Show.
During an interview, Beatie stated, “It’s not a male or female desire to want a child; it’s a human desire.” In 2016, he married Amber, and they moved to Oregon with their blended family. Now in his 50s, Thomas works as a stockbroker in Phoenix. Reflecting on his past, he acknowledges the impact of his story, stating, “Everything was a whirlwind, but I still don’t regret it.”
