Madeleine Albright First Female US Secretary Of State Dies At 84

Madeleine Albright, the first female US Secretary of State passed away at the age of 84. She came to the United States as a child refugee. She played a crucial role in shaping the foreign policy of the US during the late 20th century. Albright died of cancer and ever since the announcement has been made of her demise, political leaders have taken to social media to pay their respect.

Taking to social media, a statement on her passing away was released. "We have lost a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend." Taking to their respective social media feed, political leaders paid tribute.

Former President George W Bush said, "Laura and I are heartbroken by the news of Madeleine Albright's death. She lived out the American dream and helped others realize it...She served with distinction as a foreign-born foreign minister who understood firsthand the importance of free societies for peace in our world. I respect her love of country and public service, and Laura and I are grateful to have called Madeline Albright our friend."

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Madeleine Albright Died

Albright was a refugee from Czechoslovakia. Her birth name was Marie Jana Korbelova and she was born on May 15, 1937. She had moved to the US in 1948 and became a US citizen in 1957. Albright's father was also a diplomat named Josef Korbel, who had converted from Judaism to Catholicism after they fled to London in 1939. Then, later on became a top-notch diplomat of her time. She was sent to the United Nations by Bill Clinton as the US top diplomat.

In 1997 when Clinton had announced Albright as the head of the State Department, he had said that gender "had nothing to do with her getting the job" and that she was the most qualified person.

She was fluent in Czech, English, French and Russian languages. She had earned her degree as an undergraduate from Wellesley College. She went on to do a doctorate in Political Science from Columbia University. Post which, she worked for the Democratic senator Edmund Muskie.

(Feature Image Credit: Colorado Public Radio)