Madeleine Korbel Albright (1937–2022) was born Marie Jana Korbelová in Prague, Czechoslovakia. The daughter of a diplomat, she fled to the U.S. with her family in 1948. Three of her grandparents died in German concentration camps.

“We only talked about foreign policy at our house,” she explained. “I never stopped being interested in foreign policy.”

Albright made history in 1997 as the first woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, nominated by President Bill Clinton and confirmed unanimously by the Senate.

“Somebody said to me early on, do you realize that you have Thomas Jefferson’s job?” she said. “A little awe there.”

Known for her grit, humor, and diplomatic flair, she quipped to the New York Times, “I rub my eyes and my makeup comes off, and I stick pencils in my hair.”

Albright served as a speechwriter, ambassador, liaison, and adviser to numerous presidents and candidates. Washington Post writer Mary McGrory called her “an intellectual… with a heart.” Senator Jesse Helms called her “a tough and courageous lady.”

Fluent in French and Czech, she led with eloquence and conviction. “The only plan I ever had was to use the knowledge I had, work hard, and have a good time — my version of good time.”