Linda Thompson Shares Insights on Son Brody’s Relationship with Caitlyn Jenner
Linda Thompson is providing Us with insights into her son Brody Jenner‘s relationship with his father, Caitlyn Jenner.
“He was absolutely right. [Caitlyn] was not present,” Thompson, 74, exclusively shared with Us Weekly at the Cure Addiction Now’s Inaugural Fundraising Evening at the Beverly Hills Hilton on Monday, February 24. “That’s when we knew [her, and she] was absent during Brody’s upbringing, as well as Brandon’s.”
Thompson and Caitlyn, 75, were married from 1981 to 1986, during which time they welcomed sons Brandon, now 43, and Brody, now 41. Many years after their divorce, the former Olympian came out as transgender and adopted the name Caitlyn.
Brody has been open about his strained relationship with Caitlyn, a topic he also explored during his recent appearance on season 3 of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
“Brandon is the one who taught Brody how to ride a bike, throw a baseball, and all the things that an older brother teaches his younger brother,” Thompson reflected on Monday. “However, there were stretches where [Caitlyn] didn’t reach out, didn’t see them, missed ‘Happy Birthdays,’ ‘Merry Christmases,’ and didn’t even ask, ‘Are you guys alright after the Northridge earthquake?’ Nothing.”
Thompson added that she recently had a conversation with Caitlyn regarding their past estrangement.
“I told her, ‘You know, sometimes the truth can sting. You have to take responsibility for your actions, or lack thereof, as a parent,’” Thompson explained to Us. “I’m not entirely convinced she’s as accountable as she ought to be. She’s evolving, but both Brody and Brandon have a forgiving nature.”
She elaborated, “We all are, and Caitlyn attends all family gatherings—we love her and wish her the best. Sometimes, truth can be painful, and she wasn’t present.”
Thompson and Caitlyn now often come together as proud grandparents to Brandon and Brody’s children. While Brandon has four kids, Brody welcomed his first child, daughter Honey, with fiancée Tia Blanco in 2023.
“He’s an amazing dad. They send me little videos of her daily activities, and she has this adorable side-eye look. Brody is always encouraging her with, ‘Honey, give Daddy a side-eye and then twirl,’” Thompson praised Brody’s daughter. “She adores her dad, and he is completely smitten with her.”
She concluded, “It has been wonderful to witness his transformation from a single man in L.A. to a dedicated dad in Malibu. He has truly found his place, and Tia is just a remarkable person. She’s incredibly sweet, authentic, and possesses a pure spirit; she’s an extraordinary mom.”
With reporting by Mike Vulpo
