Madeleine Albright

Biography

Madeleine Albright (1937–2022) was a pioneering American diplomat who served as U.S. Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton, making her the first woman to hold this position. Born in Prague and educated at Wellesley College and Columbia University, Albright brought a unique perspective shaped by her experiences fleeing Nazi occupation and communist rule.

Throughout her career in foreign service, Albright was instrumental in shaping American foreign policy during the post-Cold War era, advocating for NATO expansion, humanitarian intervention, and the promotion of democracy and human rights on the global stage. Her groundbreaking tenure opened doors for women in diplomacy and international affairs.