Biography

Christine Jorgensen, born George William Jorgensen Jr., grew up in the Bronx, New York. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, she traveled to Denmark to undergo a series of operations, becoming one of the first people to undergo sex reassignment surgery.

Upon her return to the United States in the early 1950s, her transition became a front-page story. The New York Daily News headline, "Ex-GI Becomes Blonde Beauty," catapulted her to international fame. Jorgensen embraced the spotlight, using her celebrity to advocate for transgender people. She worked as an actress and nightclub entertainer, and lectured on her experiences, challenging societal norms and educating the public about gender identity. Her courage and visibility made her a pivotal figure in the history of transgender rights.