Madeleine Albright, born Marie Jana Korbelová on May 15, 1937, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, was a distinguished American diplomat and political figure best known for serving as the first female U.S. Secretary of State. Her family fled Czechoslovakia due to the Nazi invasion during World War II, and they eventually settled in the United States in 1948 after briefly living in the United Kingdom and Yugoslavia.

Albright attended Wellesley College, earning her bachelor’s degree in political science in 1959, and later obtained her master's and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University's Department of Public Law and Government. Her academic focus was on the role of the press in politics, which later expanded to include Eastern European studies and international relations.

Before entering public service, Albright worked as a journalist and a political science professor at Georgetown University. Her political career began in earnest when she served as a legislative assistant to Senator Edmund Muskie in the early 1970s. Albright's expertise in foreign affairs gained recognition, leading to her appointment as the National Security Council’s liaison to Congress during President Jimmy Carter’s administration.

Under President Bill Clinton, Albright's diplomatic career flourished. She served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations from 1993 to 1997, where she was instrumental in advocating for expanded roles for NATO and the UN in conflict resolution, notably in the Balkans and the Middle East. In 1997, she was appointed Secretary of State, becoming the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government at that time. As Secretary of State, Albright was known for her forthright approach and was a key figure in shaping U.S. foreign policy concerning NATO expansion, normalization of American relations with Vietnam, and the pursuit of peace in the Middle East.

Albright's tenure as Secretary of State also included her advocacy for human rights and democracy worldwide. She emphasized the importance of American involvement in global issues and was a proponent of "assertive multilateralism," a foreign policy strategy that involves working with other countries to address global problems.

After leaving office in 2001, Albright founded the Albright Stonebridge Group, a global strategy firm, and the Albright Capital Management, an investment advisory firm focused on emerging markets. She continued to influence international affairs through her roles in various organizations, including chairing the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and serving on the board of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Albright authored several books reflecting on her experiences and views on international relations, including the memoirs "Madam Secretary" and "Prague Winter," where she discussed both her professional life and personal reflections, particularly her rediscovery of her Jewish heritage.

Madeleine Albright passed away on March 23, 2022. Her legacy, marked by groundbreaking achievements and a deep commitment to public service and diplomacy, continues to inspire future generations of leaders around the world.