Andreja Pejic, who made a name for herself as an androgynous model who went by Andrej, announced that she’s a transgender woman and recently had sex reassignment surgery.

Andreja Pejic Undergoes Sex Reassignment

Pejic, who had modeled for Marc Jacobs and Jean Paul Gaultier, underwent sex reassignment surgery earlier this year. Pejic recently announced the news to People magazine, explaining that she felt a responsibility to share her experience.

"I want to share my story with the world because I think I have a social responsibility," Pejic told People. "I hope that by being open about this, it becomes less of an issue."

Since Pejic was a child, she wanted to be a girl. In her teens, she began taking puberty blockers to avoid looking “something like my brother and father.” The plan was to undergo surgery upon graduating high school, but a chance to breakout into modeling put the plan on hold.

"It was an opportunity to see the world and gain some financial stability," said Pejic, adding, "Being a bride for Gaultier was a very special moment for me.”

While Pejic had the benefit of taking the runway at women’s fashion shows, there was still a step she had to take personally in order to be fully happy and to feel fully herself.

"I was proud of my gender nonconforming career,” said Pejic, who seriously began considering the sex reassignment surgery again about a year and a half ago. “But my biggest dream was to be comfortable in my own body. I have to be true to myself and the career is just going to have to fit around that."

Before the surgery, Pejic was overcome with excitement for what was to come, and now months later she can say she’s never felt more comfortable in her own skin.

"I was happy the moment had come – as happy as you can be before a surgery," she told People. "Every day is like a new revelation," she added. "I'm more comfortable than ever. I feel at a 100 percent."

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