People
Photos
Purpose
Advertisement
Advertisement
  2. People
  3. Surname Directory
  4. K
  5. Kopache - Koretko
  6. Korash - Korbilas
  7. Korbel
  8. Leonard - Mike
  9. Madeleine (Korbel) Albright
A photo of Madeleine (Korbel) Albright

Madeleine (Korbel) Albright 1937 - 2022

Madeleine (Korbel) Albright was born on May 15, 1937 in Prague, Hlavní město Praha County, Prague Czechia, and died at age 84 years old on March 23, 2022 in Washington, District Of Columbia United States.

Madeleine (Korbel) Albright
Marie Jana Korbelová
Name
Update name details
Last residence
Update residence details
May 15, 1937
Prague, Hlavní město Praha County, Prague, Czechia
Birth
Update birth details
March 23, 2022
Washington, District Of Columbia, United States
Death
Update death details
Updated: March 25, 2022
Biography ID: 192855435 What's this
Madeleine (Korbel) Albright Madeleine Albright (1937 - 2022)
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
This page exists for YOU
and everyone who remembers Madeleine.
Share what you know,
even ask what you wish you knew.
Invite others to do the same,
but don't worry if you can't...
Someone, somewhere will find this page,
and we'll notify you when they do.

Madeleine (Korbel) Albright's History: 1937 - 2022

Uncover new discoveries and connections today by sharing about people & moments from yesterday.
- Discover how AncientFaces works.

  • Introduction

    Born in what was then Czechoslovakia to Josef Korbel (a Czech diplomat) and Anna Spieglová Korbel, Madeleine had one younger sister, Katherine, and one younger brother, John. After WW2, the family moved around Europe due to her father's diplomatic missions. She spent her teen years in Denver Colorado, graduating from high school in Denver. While interning at The Denver Post during college at Wellesley, Madeleine (as she was then known) met newspaper scion Joseph Medill Patterson Albright. They married shortly after she graduated - in 1959. They eventually had 3 children (2 of which were twin daughters) and remained married until their divorce in 1982. Appointed to US Ambassador to the United Nations by President Clinton in 1993, he later appointed her as the first female Secretary of State from the United States (1997). For additional details about Madeleine's illustrious life see her USA Today Madeleine (Korbel) Albright: Obituary.
  • 05/15
    1937

    Birthday

    May 15, 1937
    Birthdate
    Prague, Hlavní město Praha County, Prague Czechia
    Birthplace
    ADVERTISEMENT BY

  • Ethnicity & Family History

    Born a Jew in Czechoslovakia, her family changed to Catholicism in 1941 and in May 1939 to Great Britain. Moving to Prague, Belgrade, and Switzerland, Madeleine moved next to the US - arriving in NY on Nov 11 1948

  • Nationality & Locations

    Born in Czech Republic, naturalized US citizen - 1957

  • Early Life & Education

    Kent Denver School in Cherry Hills Village, a suburb of Denver (1955 grad) Wellesley College, in Wellesley, Massachusetts - political science (1959 grad)

  • Religious Beliefs

    Her parents converted from Judaism to Catholicism and she and her siblings were raised Catholic (she didn't know her family had been Jewish until after she was appointed Secretary of State0
  • 03/23
    2022

    Death

    March 23, 2022
    Death date
    cancer
    Cause of death
    Washington, District Of Columbia United States
    Death location
    ADVERTISEMENT BY

  • Obituary

    RIP Madeleine Albright Dead at 84: First Female Secretary of State’s Cause of Death Confirmed by Family By Nicole Massabrook 6:53p EST 23 Mar 2022 USA TODAY Madeleine Albright has died at age 84, her family announced in a statement on Wednesday, March 23. “We are heartbroken to announce that Dr. Madeleine K. Albright, the 64th U.S. Secretary of State and the first woman to hold that position, passed away earlier today,” Albright’s family said in a statement on her official Twitter account. They also announced her cause of death. “The cause was cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends. We have lost a loving mother, grandmother sister, aunt and friend.” Albright was named U.S. ambassador to the United Nations shortly after President Bill Clinton was inaugurated in 1993. He nominated her as secretary of state three years later. In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded her the Medal of Freedom. Her family proudly included many of her accomplishments in the announcement of her passing: “Madeleine Albright, born Marie Jana Korbelova, was a native of Prague who came to the United States as a refugee in 1948 and rose to the heights of American policy-making, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, the nation’s highest civilian honor. A tireless champion of democracy and human rights, she was at the time of her death a professor at Georgetown University‘s School of Foreign Service, chair of the Albright Stonebridge Group, part of Dentons Global Advisors, chair of Albright Capital Management, president of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, chair of the National Democratic Institute, chair of the U.S. Defense Policy Board and an author. She founded the Albright Institute for Global Affairs at Wellesley College, served as a lifetime trustee of The Aspen Institute and was a member of the chapter of the Washington the National Cathedral.” In a statement shortly after her death was announced, Clinton, 75, said he was “profoundly saddened” by the loss, adding that his former colleague “was a passionate force for freedom, democracy and human rights” throughout her life. “Hillary and I will always be deeply grateful for the wonderful friendship we shared and the unfailingly wise counsel she gave us over so many years,” he said, in part. “Madeleine’s passing is an immense loss to the world in a time when we need the lessons of her life the most, but we know her legacy will live on through all the students she taught so well at Georgetown, everyone who was inspired by her remarkable journey from refugee to Secretary of State and the many people around the world who are alive and living better lives because of her service.” President George W. Bush also shared his condolences. “Laura and I are heartbroken by the news of Madeleine Albright’s death,” the 75-year-old said in a statement. “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.” Obama, 60, added in his own official release, “It’s because of people like Madeleine that the story of America is, ultimately, one of hope — and upward journey. Michelle and I send our thought s to the Albright family and everyone who knew and served with a truly remarkable woman.” Albright was married to Joseph Medill Patterson Albright from 1959 until their divorce in 1982. She is survived by their three daughters, twins Alice Patterson Albright and Anne Korbel Albright, both 60, and Katherine Medill Albright, 55. She is also survived by siblings John and Kathy and several grandchildren.
    ADVERTISEMENT BY
    Looking for more information?
  • share
    Memories
    below
Advertisement
Advertisement

3 Memories, Stories & Photos about Madeleine

Billie Jean King and Madeleine Albright.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
03/25/2022
Billie Jean King and Madeleine Albright.
Billie Jean King Tribute:
Madeleine Albright, the 1st woman to hold the position of U.S. Secretary of State, has died.
I’ve had the honor of spending time with her over the years.
She possessed a brilliant mind & a trailblazing spirit.
My deepest sympathies go out to her loved ones.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Madeleine Albright.
Photo of Amanda S. Stevenson Amanda S. Stevenson
17.8k+ favorites
03/25/2022
Madeleine Albright.
BILLIE'S Comments.
Billie Billing
I just found out that Madeleine Albright passed.
I have to post something in her memory.
Wednesday, March 23, 2022 was a sad day for women all over the world. We lost an amazing woman when Madeleine Albright left her earthly existence and left us with a void in our lives. Her strength of character was an inspiration to many women.
Albright is widely considered to be one of the most influential women in American politics, and her tenure as Secretary of State is often cited as a model for future female leaders. Since leaving the Clinton administration, she has written a series of books. One, "Hell and Other Destinations," was published in April 2020. Others include her autobiography, "Madam Secretary: A Memoir" (2003) and "Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box" (2009). In all these books, her thoughts on politics and her worldview as a seasoned politician shine through. She is without doubt one of the most important figures in modern politics in the United States.
“A lot of people think international relations is like a game of chess. But it's not a game of chess, where people sit quietly, thinking out their strategy, taking their time between moves. It's more like a game of billiards, with a bunch of balls clustered together.”
— Madeleine Albright
Rest in peace, Madeleine, and thank you for all your efforts to make this world a better place for all of us to live in.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Madeleine Albright
Photo of Kathy Pinna Kathy Pinna
32.9k+ favorites
03/23/2022
Madeleine Albright
A photo of Madeleine Albright when she was in Wellesley college.
Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.
Comments
Leave a comment
The simple act of leaving a comment shows you care.
Cancel Share
Photo of AncientFaces AncientFaces
411 favorites
03/23/2022
In a month where we celebrate Women's History it makes it that much harder to share that the first female US Secretary of State, Madeleine (Korbel) Albright, has died.

Born in what was then Czechoslovakia, and after moving during WW2 and ending up in Denver Colorado, she later became appointed US Ambassador to the United Nations by President Clinton in 1993.

Join us in celebrating Madeleine's life by adding to her biography and leaving comments with your thoughts
Reply
Facebook Fan
via Facebook
03/23/2022
WISH she was Sec. of State now!
Reply
Show more
Loading...one moment please loading spinner
- See how biographies work.
Be the 1st to share and we'll let you know when others do the same.
ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement

Madeleine Korbel's Family Tree & Friends

Madeleine Korbel's Family Tree

Parent
Parent
Madeleine (Korbel) Albright
Madeleine (Korbel) Albright May 15, 1937 - Mar 23, 2022
Partner
Child
Sibling
Advertisement
Advertisement
Friendships

Madeleine's Friends

Friends of Madeleine Friends can be as close as family. Add Madeleine's family friends, and her friends from childhood through adulthood.
Advertisement
Advertisement
3 Followers & Sources

Connect with others who remember to share and discover more memories. People who have contributed to this page are listed below and in the Biography History of changes. Sign in to to view changes.

ADVERTISEMENT BY ANCESTRY.COM
Advertisement
Other Biographies

Other Korbel Family Biographies

Korbel, Ruth (Mar 20, 1894 - Jan 1977) Korbel, Dora (Mar 11, 1918 - May 10, 2007) Korbel, Judith (Aug 31, 1948 - Mar 7, 2011) Korbel, Fred (Sep 30, 1893 - Mar 1986) Korbel, James (Feb 17, 1899 - Oct 19, 2001) Korbel, Lilly (May 3, 1915 - May 15, 2005) Korbel, Margaret (Oct 14, 1923 - Dec 4, 1994) Korbel, Jenifer (Feb 2, 1920 - Jan 3, 2000) Korbel, Kathryn (Jun 28, 1919 - Aug 26, 2001) Korbel, Louise (Mar 23, 1907 - Nov 1980)
Korbel, Mary (Apr 15, 1914 - Jan 23, 2004) Korbel, Frank (Apr 7, 1904 - Aug 1, 1995) Korbel, Ernest (Nov 28, 1891 - Oct 1968) Korbel, Anna (May 11, 1910 - Oct 1989) Korbel, Albert (Apr 18, 1892 - Feb 1968) Korbel, Bridget (Jan 22, 1921 - Jun 1981) Korbel, Charles (Nov 5, 1903 - Aug 1977) Korbel, William (Jun 22, 1921 - Oct 25, 1992) Korbel, Bernard (May 19, 1923 - Aug 24, 1988) Korbel, John (Dec 13, 1918 - Jun 10, 2004)
Advertisement
Advertisement
Show more
  2. People
  3. Surname Directory
  4. K
  5. Kopache - Koretko
  6. Korash - Korbilas
  7. Korbel
  8. Leonard - Mike
  9. Madeleine (Korbel) Albright
Back to Top
Advertisement
Advertisement