Linda Thompson on ex-spouse Caitlyn Jenner: 'I sometimes miss Bruce'

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Linda Thompson is opening up about her ex-husband Bruce Jenner, now known as Caitlyn.

The 66-year-old songwriter discussed her marriage to the former Olympian in her memoir A Little Thing Called Life, which People previewed in its Aug. 22 issue.

Thompson and Jenner were married from 1981 to 1986 and share two sons, Brandon and Brody Jenner. Jenner, who was then known as Bruce, revealed to Thompson in 1985 that he felt as though he were really a woman.

"Thirty years ago, few of us were educated about the world of gender dysphoria," the songwriter wrote. "So my reaction was utter confusion, even desperation. My whole world began to crumble."

Thompson and Jenner saw a therapist, but the Olympic champion remained interested in gender reassignment therapy. Thompson first saw Jenner dressed as Caitlyn shortly before their marriage ended.

"I crumbled right there and burst into tears," she admitted. "'Oh, I'm sorry,' Bruce said. 'I just wanted you to see who I really am. This is me!'"

Thompson said Jenner, who publicly came out as transgender in April, "seems so much happier and freer" today. She said she "completely accept[s], respect[s] and support[s]" her ex-spouse's transition, but admitted she also "sometimes miss[es] Bruce."

"I sometimes find it surreal to look into her perfectly made-up, beautiful brown eyes, while remembering the masculine, gorgeous man who fathered my sons," the songwriter confessed.

Jenner admitted in an interview last week that she considered suicide during a difficult time in her transition. Her eldest daughter with Kris Jenner, Kendall Jenner, said in the September issue of Vogue that she's come to embrace her dad's change.