Einar and Greta Wegener were a Danish couple, who were artists in 1920s Copenhagen. Einar underwent transgender surgery in 1931, the first-ever sex-change operation. A film based on the book about the Wegeners called The Danish Girl is reported to be in pre-production, with actress Nicole Kidman as Einar and Charlize Theron as Greta.BBC News: Kidman 'to star as transsexual' (November 10, 2008)

Greta (sometimes spelled as Gerda) Wegener was a leading artist in the Art Deco movement, famous for her portraits of beautiful, fashionable women. In 1913 it became known that her model was her husband Einar, and the couple were forced to move to Paris where Einar became a popular night club singer dressed as Lili Elbe.Papillon Gallery: Einar Wegener "Portrait de Femme", 1923

In 1929, encouraged by his then-lesbian wife, Einar began a series of operations to change his gender to female. In 1930, the marriage was annulled, and Greta married a diplomat and moved to Morocco.Papillon Gallery: Einar Wegener "Portrait de Femme", 1923

Einar's first three operations were successful, but the fourth to give her ovaries failed, and she died in 1931.Papillon Gallery: Einar Wegener "Portrait de Femme", 1923