Who Is David Reimer? Age, Biography and Wiki
David Reimer was born on August 22, 1965, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He became well-known in the 1990s as a central figure in a controversial case involving gender identity and medical ethics. David, originally named Bruce, was raised as a girl after a botched circumcision led his parents to seek out gender reassignment for him. His life journey highlights profound issues surrounding gender identity, societal norms, and psychological health. Tragically, David passed away in 2004 at the age of 38, but his story continues to resonate today, influencing discussions on gender and identity.
| Occupation | Health care |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 22, 1965 |
| Age | 38 Years |
| Birth Place | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | Canada |
| Date of death | 4 May, 2004 |
| Died Place | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
Popularity
David Reimer's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While there is no specific public record of David Reimer's detailed body measurements, throughout his life, he exhibited a sturdy build. Estimates suggest he stood around 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed approximately 160 pounds. His appearance, shaped by years of living under a gender identity imposed by circumstances, underscores the complexities of his persona and the challenges he faced.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
David's personal life was shadowed by his public narrative. He was married at one point but struggled with relationships throughout his life. After his story gained attention, the pressure and scrutiny intensified, particularly affecting his mental health. He has no documented male or female partners post-transition that are widely recognized in public records, but his experiences reflect broader issues faced by many individuals navigating non-traditional gender identities.
The psychologist John Money oversaw the case and reported the reassignment as successful and as evidence that gender identity is primarily learned. The academic sexologist Milton Diamond later reported that Reimer's realization that he was not a girl occurred between the ages of 9 and 11 years and that he was living as a male by the age of 15.
Well known in medical circles for years anonymously as the "John/Joan" case, Reimer later went public with his story to help discourage similar medical practices. He killed himself at age 38, two days after being petitioned for divorce by his wife.
Net Worth and Salary
Due to the nature of his life and the circumstances surrounding it, David Reimer did not accumulate wealth in the traditional sense. Much of the discourse around him has focused on the ethical and emotional implications of his story rather than financial earnings or career success. Consequently, his net worth is not a topic typically discussed or documented.
Career, Business and Investments
David Reimer's life trajectory did not lead him to a conventional career path. His experiences became a focal point for many debates in the fields of psychology, medicine, and ethics. He did not engage in any identified business ventures or investment pursuits; rather, his life turned into a case study that prompted discussions around gender identity and the impact of societal expectations on individuals.
According to John Colapinto, who published a biography of Reimer in 2001, the sessions with Money included what Money called "childhood sexual rehearsal play". Money theorized that reproductive behaviour formed the foundation of gender, and that "play at thrusting movements and copulation" was a key aspect of gender development in all primates.
Starting at age six, according to Brian, the twins were forced to act out sexual acts, with David playing the female role—Money made David get down on all fours, and Brian was forced to "come up behind [him] and place his crotch against [his] buttocks".
Money also forced David, in another sexual position, to have his "legs spread" with Brian on top. On "at least one occasion" Money took a photograph of the two children doing these activities.
Social Network
Due to the sensitive nature of his story, David Reimer had limited public interaction on social media during his lifetime. In 2025, however, his narrative continues to be discussed across various platforms as people seek to understand the complexities of gender identity. His story resonates within advocacy groups, educational settings, and online forums focusing on LGBTQ+ rights, ethics in medicine, and historical case studies.
His case came to international attention in 1997 when he told his story to Milton Diamond, an academic sexologist who persuaded Reimer to allow him to report the outcome in order to dissuade physicians from treating other infants similarly.
Soon after, Reimer went public with his story and John Colapinto published a widely disseminated and influential account in Rolling Stone magazine in December 1997. The article won the National Magazine Award for Reporting.
Education
David Reimer's educational background is not extensively detailed, but he faced significant challenges during his formative years, notably due to the psychological impacts of living in a role that clashed with his biological identity. This struggle likely influenced his educational experiences and the way he engaged with systems meant to support youth development and identity formation.
The twins attended Glenwood School in Winnipeg, and from the age of 14, David attended R.B. Russell Vocational High School. He eventually ceased attending the school and was tutored privately.
