Christine Jorgensen

American pioneering transgender woman who said "nature made a mistake." She was the first person to become widely known in the United States for having sex reassignment surgery. Her transition was the subject of a New York Daily News front-page story. She became an instant celebrity, known for her directness and polished wit, and used the platform to advocate for transgender people.

Jorgensen grew up in the Bronx, New York City. Hidden desires throughout the confusing teen years, a stint in the army and two years training as a medical assistant preceded young George's decision. Feeling feminine, wanting to dress and act like a woman, George finally, in 1950, went to Denmark to start the "change." After two years, 2,000 injections and three operations, Jorgensen returned to New York - as Christine. She is legally considered female.

She started a night club act, played dinner theater, lectured and published an autobiography. Answering many letters, she avowed that she never regretted her decision; however to people unhappy about their gender, she advised psychiatric and medical help before heading into surgery.

Though she took out a marriage license twice, she never did carry through on marriage. Christine Jorgensen died of cancer "shortly before 4 p.m." on 3 May 1989 at age 62 in San Clemente, California.