Jorgensen attended theUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison, where she swam and ran for theBadgers. She earned a master's degree in accounting, passed theCPA exam, and worked forErnst & Young in Milwaukee as a tax accountant.[6] Soon after graduating and beginning her new job,USA Triathlon, who was pursuing former college swimmers and runners, encouraged Jorgensen to try the sport of triathlon. In 2010, she was selected as USA Triathlon's Rookie of the year following her silver medal at the World University Triathlon Championships in Spain.
In2014, Jorgensen placed first in four consecutive World Triathlon Series races, something no other female had done in the history of the series.[8] Her winning streak extended through 2015, with a total of 13 consecutive series wins by the end of the year.[9] Her astonishing streak was finally ended in 2016 byHelen Jenkins inGold Coast, Australia. By coincidence, Jenkins had been the last competitor to have beaten her before her streak, inCape Town in 2014.[10] In 2015, she joinedECS Triathlon, an elite club, based in Sartrouville, France.[11]
At the 2016 Summer Olympics, Jorgensen won gold intriathlon. After winning the gold medal in Rio, Gwen entered theNew York City Marathon and placed 14th with a time of 2:41:01.[12]
Jorgensen announced via Twitter on January 19, 2017, that she and her husband were expecting a child. She gave birth to a boy, Stanley, on August 16, 2017 - almost two weeks after his due date.[13]
In November 2017, Jorgensen announced that she was retiring from triathlon, and focusing on the marathon, with the goal of winning an Olympic gold in thediscipline atTokyo 2020.[14] However, after suffering injuries and undergoing heel surgery during her marathon build-up, Jorgensen announced on December 4, 2019, that she would focus on qualifying in track, in either the 5,000m or 10,000m.[15][16] However, she failed to qualify; she finished 9th in the 5,000m and was unable to complete the 10,000m.[17][18]
In October 2019, Jorgensen's mother and sister publishedGo, Gwen, Go: A Family’s Journey to Olympic Gold. In the book, they document Jorgensen's rise from a Milwaukee CPA to 2016 Olympic Champion and describe the family's experience raising an Olympian.[19]
Jorgensen returned to the ITU World Triathlon Series in 2023. She attempted to qualify for the US team for the2024 Olympics triathlon. After finishing well back in two 2024World Triathlon Championship Series races (15th in Yokohama and 33rd in Hamburg), she was not selected to the team, though she was invited to be an alternate.[20]
