Getruda was probably born just before or just after the royal coronation of her father Mieszko II as King of Poland, which probably took place on April 18, 1025.

[2] Her grandfather King Boleslaw II the Brave died shortly thereafter, leaving his son as the sole ruler of the Kingdom of Poland.

Matilda was the daughter of Roman Emperor Otto II and Theophanu of the Macedonian dynasty ruling Byzantium.

[2] Gertrude probably grew up in the royal residence in Gniezno, along with her siblings, about a decade older: brother Casimir and a sister unknown by name.

The conflict with Emperor Conrad II was exploited by Grand Prince of Kiev Yaroslav the Wise, who invaded Poland from the east.

She had two sons, Yaropolk Iziaslavich and Mstislav, and a daughter, Eupraxia, who later married the Prince of Kraków, Mieszko Bolesławowic of the Piast dynasty.

After her husband's death in 1078, Gertrude stayed at the court of the youngest son of Yaropolk, the prince of Turov and Volhynia.