Madeleine Albright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Madeleine Albright
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Official portrait, c. 1997
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| 64th United States Secretary of State | |
| In office January 23, 1997 – January 20, 2001 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Deputy | Strobe Talbott |
| Preceded by | Warren Christopher |
| Succeeded by | Colin Powell |
| 20th United States Ambassador to the United Nations | |
| In office January 27, 1993 – January 21, 1997 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Edward J. Perkins |
| Succeeded by | Bill Richardson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Marie Jana Korbelová
May 15, 1937 Prague, Czechoslovakia |
| Died | March 23, 2022 (aged 84) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Joseph Medill Patterson Albright
(m. 1959; div. 1982) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent |
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| Education | |
| Signature |  |
Madeleine Albright (born Marie Jana Korbelová; May 15, 1937 – March 23, 2022) was an important American diplomat. She made history as the first woman to become the United States Secretary of State. This means she was the top diplomat for the U.S. and advised the President on how to deal with other countries. She held this role from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton.
Madeleine Albright and her family moved to the United States in 1948 from Czechoslovakia. Her father, Josef Korbel, was also a diplomat. The family settled in Denver, Colorado. Madeleine became a U.S. citizen in 1957.
She studied at Wellesley College and later earned a PhD from Columbia University. Before becoming Secretary of State, she worked for a U.S. Senator and on the United States National Security Council. In 1993, President Clinton chose her to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. She held this job until 1997, when she became Secretary of State.
After leaving government, Albright continued to be active in global affairs. She led a consulting firm and taught at Georgetown University. In 2012, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama. This is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive in the U.S.
Contents
Early Life and Journey to the U.S.
Madeleine Albright was born Marie Jana Korbelová in 1937 in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Her father, Josef Korbel, was a diplomat. Her mother was Anna Korbel. At the time, Czechoslovakia was a new country, having become independent after World War I.
When Madeleine was young, her family had to leave Czechoslovakia. This was because Adolf Hitler's troops occupied their country in 1938. Her family moved to Britain in 1939 to escape the danger. While in England, they lived through the Blitz, which was a time of heavy bombing during World War II.
In 1941, her parents changed their religion from Judaism to Catholicism. They raised Madeleine and her siblings as Roman Catholics. Madeleine later said that her parents never told her about their Jewish background. She found out much later in her life.
After World War II ended, the Korbel family returned to Prague. But soon, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia took control of the government in 1948. Because her father was against communism, he had to leave his job. He then sent his family to the United States.
Growing Up in America
Madeleine's family arrived in New York Harbor in November 1948. They first lived in Great Neck, New York. Her father asked for political asylum, meaning he asked to stay in the U.S. because he was in danger in Czechoslovakia.
With help, her father got a job at the University of Denver in Colorado. He became a dean there and even taught future Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
Madeleine spent her teenage years in Denver. She graduated from the Kent Denver School in 1955. She then went to Wellesley College on a scholarship, studying political science. She became a U.S. citizen in 1957.
While working at a newspaper in Denver, she met Joseph Medill Patterson Albright. They got married in 1959. She had three daughters: Alice, Anne, and Katherine. The family moved several times for her husband's journalism career. Madeleine continued her studies, learning Russian and focusing on international relations. She earned her PhD from Columbia University in 1975.
A Career in Public Service
After finishing her studies, Madeleine Albright started working in politics. She helped raise money for a U.S. Senator's presidential campaign. This led to her working as a legislative assistant for Senator Edmund Muskie.
In 1978, she joined the United States National Security Council. This group advises the President on national security and foreign policy. She worked there until 1981.
After leaving the National Security Council, Albright taught at Georgetown University. She also advised Democratic Party candidates on foreign policy. When Bill Clinton became president in 1992, Albright helped him set up his National Security Council.
Serving at the United Nations
In 1993, President Clinton appointed Madeleine Albright as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. This was her first major diplomatic role. The United Nations is an organization where countries work together to solve global problems.
During her time at the U.N., she worked on many important issues. She expressed deep regret that the international community did not act sooner to stop the genocide in Rwanda. She also became known for her strong statements. For example, after Cuban military planes shot down civilian aircraft, she famously said, "This is not cojones. This is cowardice." This quote showed her tough diplomatic style.
Becoming Secretary of State
In January 1997, President Clinton chose Madeleine Albright to be the 64th United States Secretary of State. This was a very important moment because she was the first woman ever to hold this position. She became the highest-ranking woman in the U.S. government at that time.
As Secretary of State, she played a big role in shaping U.S. foreign policy. She worked on issues in places like Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Middle East. She also represented the U.S. when Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997.
In 1998, she explained the "three Ds" of NATO: no reduction of NATO, no unfair treatment, and no doing the same work twice. These ideas helped guide the military alliance.
In 2000, Madeleine Albright made history again by meeting Kim Jong-il, the leader of North Korea. This was a very high-level meeting between a Western diplomat and the North Korean leader. She served as Secretary of State until President Clinton left office in 2001.
Life After Government
After her time as Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright remained very active. She was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2001, she started her own international consulting firm, the Albright Stonebridge Group. This firm helps businesses and organizations with global strategies.
She also served on the board of directors for the New York Stock Exchange and the Council on Foreign Relations. She continued to teach diplomacy at Georgetown University.
Madeleine Albright also made guest appearances on TV shows like Gilmore Girls and Parks and Recreation.
In 2007, she helped create a Prevention of Genocide Task Force. This group works to prevent mass killings around the world. She also wrote a book called Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box. The book showed her unique collection of pins, which she often wore to send messages during diplomatic meetings.
Albright continued to share her views on world events. She supported Hillary Clinton in her presidential campaigns. She was a strong voice for democracy and diplomacy throughout her life.
Awards and Recognition
Madeleine Albright received many honors and awards during her life. She was given honorary degrees from many universities, including Brandeis University and Tufts University.
In 1998, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes American women who have made great contributions to society. She also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.
A square in Pristina, Kosovo, was named "Medlin Olbrajt Square" in her honor. This shows her impact on international relations.
Personal Life
Madeleine Albright married Joseph Medill Patterson Albright in 1959. They had three daughters: Alice, Anne, and Katherine. They later divorced in 1982.
She was raised Roman Catholic, but she converted to the Episcopal Church when she got married. In 1997, she learned that her parents were born into Jewish families. She said this was a "major surprise" because her parents never told her. She also learned that many of her relatives had been killed in the Holocaust.
Besides English, Madeleine Albright spoke several other languages. These included Russian, Czech, French, German, Polish, and Serbo-Croatian. She was known for being physically fit and enjoyed exercising.
Madeleine Albright passed away from cancer on March 23, 2022, at the age of 84.
Images for kids
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Albright with Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and Yasser Arafat at the Wye River Memorandum, 1998
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With NATO officers during NATO Ceremony of Accession of New Members, 1999
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Madeleine Albright at the World Economic Forum
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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry greets Albright, February 6, 2013
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Bob Schieffer and Madeleine Albright at the LBJ Presidential Library in 2017
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See also
In Spanish: Madeleine Albright para niños
