On This Day

Lili Elbe

painter and transgender woman

Born: Died: Danish

Lili Ilse Elvenes (28 December 1882 – 13 September 1931), better known as Lili Elbe, was a Danish painter, transgender woman, and one of the earliest recipients of gender-affirming surgery (then called sex reassignment surgery).

Elbe was a painter under her birth name Einar Wegener. After transitioning in 1930, she changed her legal name to Lili Ilse Elvenes, stopped painting, and later adopted the surname Elbe. She was the first known recipient of a uterus transplant in an attempt to achieve pregnancy, but died due to the subsequent complications.

The UK and US versions of her semi-autobiographical narrative were published posthumously in 1933 under the title Man into Woman: An Authentic Record of a Change of Sex. A film inspired by her life, The Danish Girl, was released in 2015. An opera based on her life, Lili Elbe, composed by Tobias Picker, premiered in 2023.

Notable For

Danish painter and transgender woman

Lili Elbe's Historical Timeline

  1. Lili Elbe dies

    Lili Elbe, Danish painter and transgender woman, known for danish painter and transgender woman, died on 1931-09-13.

Associated Historical Events

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Lili Elbe born?
Lili Elbe was born on 1882-09-13 (Danish).
What is Lili Elbe known for?
Danish painter and transgender woman
What historical events involved Lili Elbe?
Lili Elbe was involved in 1 recorded historical event, including Lili Elbe dies.
When did Lili Elbe die?
Lili Elbe died on 1931-01-01.

Related Years