History of Madeleine Albright in Timeline

Madeleine Albright (1937-2022) was a prominent American diplomat and political scientist who served as the first female United States Secretary of State under President Bill Clinton. Born in Czechoslovakia, her family fled first to England and later immigrated to the United States. Albright earned a PhD in Public Law and Government from Columbia University and rose through the ranks of Democratic politics, holding positions such as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations before her appointment as Secretary of State. During her tenure, she advocated for NATO expansion, intervened in the Bosnian War and Kosovo conflict, and promoted democracy and human rights. Her distinguished career broke barriers for women in international relations and left a lasting mark on American foreign policy.

May 15, 1937: Birth of Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright was born on May 15, 1937, in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

1937: Birth of Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright was born Marie Jana Körbelová in Prague, Czechoslovakia in 1937.

September 1938: Albright family goes into exile

In September 1938, following the Munich Agreement and the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, the Albright family was forced into exile.

May 1939: Albright family moves to Britain

The Albright family moved to Britain in May 1939 to escape the Nazi occupation.

1939: Family Flees Czechoslovakia

In 1939, Madeleine Albright's family fled Czechoslovakia for England to escape anti-Jewish persecution.

1941: Parents' Conversion to Catholicism

Madeleine Albright's parents converted from Judaism to Catholicism in 1941 while living in England as refugees from Czechoslovakia.

1941: Albright's parents convert to Catholicism

Madeleine Albright's parents, Josef and Anna, converted from Judaism to Catholicism in 1941.

November 5, 1948: Albright family leaves Southampton

The Albright family departed from Southampton, UK, on November 5, 1948, en route to the United States.

November 11, 1948: Albright family arrives in New York

On November 11, 1948, the Albright family arrived at Ellis Island in New York Harbor.

1948: Communist takeover forces Korbel's resignation

Following the Communist Party's takeover of the Czechoslovakian government in 1948, Josef Korbel, Madeleine Albright's father, was forced to resign from his diplomatic position.

1948: Albright family immigrates to the United States

Following the communist coup d'état in Czechoslovakia in 1948, the Albright family immigrated to the United States.

1955: Albright graduates from Kent Denver School

Madeleine Albright graduated from Kent Denver School in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado, in 1955.

1957: Albright becomes a U.S. citizen

Madeleine Albright became a U.S. citizen in 1957.

1959: Albright graduates from Wellesley College

Madeleine Albright graduated from Wellesley College in 1959.

1959: Marriage to Joseph Albright and Conversion to Episcopalianism

Madeleine Albright married Joseph Albright and converted to the Episcopal Church in 1959.

1959: Albright marries Joseph Albright

Madeleine Korbel married Joseph Albright in Wellesley in 1959 shortly after graduating.

January 1960: Albrights move to Chicago

The Albrights moved to Chicago, Illinois in January 1960.

1962: Albright family moves to Washington, D.C.

In 1962, the Albright family moved to Washington, D.C.

1963: Return to Long Island

Following the death of Joseph Albright's aunt, Alicia Patterson, in 1963, the Albrights moved back to Long Island with the intention of Joseph taking over the family newspaper business.

1967: Birth of Katharine Albright

Madeleine Albright gave birth to her third daughter, Katharine Medill Albright, in 1967.

1968: Return to Washington D.C.

Albright returned to Washington D.C. in 1968 and commuted to Columbia University for her Ph.D.

1968: Doctoral Studies and Prague Spring

In 1968, Albright began her doctoral studies at Columbia University, focusing her dissertation on the role of journalists in the Prague Spring.

1972: Fundraising for Muskie Campaign

Albright began fundraising for Senator Ed Muskie's presidential campaign in 1972, marking the beginning of her involvement in politics.

1975: Completion of PhD

Albright completed her PhD from Columbia University in 1975.

1975: Albright earns PhD from Columbia University

In 1975, Madeleine Albright received her PhD from Columbia University, where her thesis focused on the Prague Spring.

1976: Legislative Assistant to Muskie

In 1976, Albright became chief legislative assistant to Senator Ed Muskie.

1976: Albright begins working for Senator Edmund Muskie

Madeleine Albright began working as an aide to Senator Edmund Muskie in 1976.

1978: Albright's work with Senator Muskie ends

Madeleine Albright's time working for Senator Edmund Muskie ended in 1978.

1978: National Security Council Liaison

Recruited by Zbigniew Brzezinski, Albright joined the National Security Council as the congressional liaison in 1978.

1980: Move to Woodrow Wilson Center

After Carter's defeat in 1980, Albright moved to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

1981: Albright leaves the National Security Council

In 1981, with the end of Jimmy Carter's presidency, Madeleine Albright left her position on the National Security Council.

1982: Georgetown University Appointment

In 1982, Albright joined the academic staff at Georgetown University, specializing in Eastern European studies.

1982: Divorce from Joseph Albright

Madeleine Albright divorced Joseph Albright in 1982.

1982: Albright joins Georgetown University faculty

Madeleine Albright joined the faculty of Georgetown University in 1982.

1983: Divorce

Albright's divorce from her husband, Joseph Albright, was finalized in 1983.

1984: Foreign Policy Advisor

Albright served as a foreign policy advisor for Democratic vice-presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro in 1984.

1988: Advising Dukakis Campaign

Albright advised presidential candidate Michael Dukakis on foreign policy during his 1988 campaign.

1990: Start of UN Sanctions against Iraq

In 1990, the UN imposed sanctions against Iraq following its invasion of Kuwait.

1992: Albright assists with Clinton's National Security Council

After Bill Clinton won the 1992 presidential election, Madeleine Albright played a role in establishing his National Security Council.

1992: National Security Council Transition Team

Albright was involved in the transition process for the National Security Council after Bill Clinton's election victory in 1992.

January 1993: Nomination as UN Ambassador

President Clinton nominated Albright to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in January 1993.

February 9, 1993: Appointment as UN Ambassador

Albright officially became the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on February 9, 1993.

1993: Casualties in Somalia

Following the deaths of U.S. peacekeepers in Somalia in 1993, Boutros-Ghali became a political scapegoat in the United States.

1993: Albright becomes U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

Madeleine Albright served as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 1993 to 1997.

1994: Rwandan Genocide

During the Rwandan genocide in 1994, Albright, as U.S. Permanent Representative to the U.N., initially hesitated to label the killings as genocide.

March 2, 1996: Memorial Service and "Libertad" Chants

On March 2, 1996, Albright attended a memorial service for the victims of the Brothers to the Rescue incident, where she was greeted with chants of "libertad."

May 12, 1996: UN Sanctions Against Iraq

On May 12, 1996, then-ambassador Madeleine Albright defended UN sanctions against Iraq on 60 Minutes, stating that the price of sanctions, even resulting in the deaths of children, was "worth it." This statement drew considerable criticism and was later characterized by Albright as a mistake.

1996: Operation Orient Express

In 1996, Albright was involved in a secret pact known as "Operation Orient Express" aimed at ousting UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

1996: Honorary Degree from Brandeis University

In 1996, Madeleine Albright received an honorary degree from Brandeis University.

January 1997: Nomination and Appointment as Secretary of State

In January 1997, Albright was nominated and subsequently appointed as the first female U.S. Secretary of State.

July 1, 1997: Handover of Hong Kong

Albright represented the U.S. at the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997.

October 1997: Support for Kyoto Protocol Exemptions

In October 1997, Albright expressed support for national security exemptions to the Kyoto Protocol.

1997: Albright learns of her Jewish heritage

In 1997, Madeleine Albright revealed that she learned about her Jewish heritage only recently.

1997: Madeleine Albright becomes the first female Secretary of State

In 1997, Madeleine Albright was appointed as the 64th United States Secretary of State, making history as the first woman to hold this position.

1997: Discovery of Jewish Ancestry

In 1997, shortly after becoming Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright learned about her Jewish ancestry and the deaths of several relatives in the Holocaust.

1997: Honorary Degree from Mount Holyoke College

Madeleine Albright was awarded an honorary degree from Mount Holyoke College in 1997.

February 1998: Town Hall Meeting on Iraq

In February 1998, Albright, William Cohen, and Sandy Berger faced a hostile audience at a town hall meeting in Columbus, Ohio, while attempting to garner support for military action against Iraq.

February 19, 1998: "Indispensable Nation" Remark

On February 19, 1998, during an interview on The Today Show, Albright declared the United States as the "indispensable nation," asserting its unique role in global affairs.

April 1998: Security Concerns at Nairobi Embassy

In April 1998, U.S. ambassador to Kenya Prudence Bushnell appealed to Washington, including Madeleine Albright directly, for heightened security at the Nairobi embassy. These requests were reportedly ignored.

August 1998: U.S. Embassy Bombings in Kenya and Tanzania

Following the bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania in August 1998, Albright clashed with Richard Clarke over responsibility for the security lapses, highlighting a contentious moment in her career.

1998: NATO's "Three Ds"

During the 1998 NATO summit, Albright introduced the "three Ds" principle: no diminution, no discrimination, and no duplication within NATO, outlining a vision for the alliance's future.

1998: Induction into National Women's Hall of Fame

Madeleine Albright was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1998.

1999: NATO Bombing of Serbia

In 1999, NATO, with the involvement of Madeleine Albright, carried out a bombing campaign against Serbia during the Kosovo War. This action remained a point of contention for years to come.

March 2000: Honorary Silver Medal of Jan Masaryk

In March 2000, Madeleine Albright was awarded the Honorary Silver Medal of Jan Masaryk in Prague.

2000: Meeting with Kim Jong-il

In 2000, Albright made a historic visit to North Korea, becoming one of the highest-ranking Western officials to meet with leader Kim Jong-il.

January 8, 2001: Farewell Call to Kofi Annan

On January 8, 2001, Albright reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to pressuring Iraq on WMD disarmament during a farewell call to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.

January 20, 2001: End of Albright's Tenure as Secretary of State

January 20, 2001, marked the end of Madeleine Albright's service as the United States Secretary of State.

2001: Receipt of the U.S. Senator H. John Heinz III Award

Albright received the prestigious U.S. Senator H. John Heinz III Award for Greatest Public Service by an Elected or Appointed Official in 2001.

2001: Founding of the Albright Group

In 2001, Albright established the Albright Group, an international strategy consulting firm based in Washington, D.C., marking her transition into the private sector.

2001: End of Albright's term as Secretary of State

Madeleine Albright's term as Secretary of State ended in 2001.

2002: Honorary Degree from University of Washington

In 2002, Madeleine Albright received an honorary degree from the University of Washington.

2003: Joining the NYSE Board of Directors

Albright joined the New York Stock Exchange's board of directors in 2003.

2003: Honorary Degrees from Smith College and Washington University in St. Louis

Madeleine Albright received honorary degrees from both Smith College and Washington University in St. Louis in 2003.

October 25, 2005: Guest Appearance on Gilmore Girls

Albright made a guest appearance as herself on the television show Gilmore Girls on October 25, 2005.

2005: Founding of Albright Capital Management

Albright founded Albright Capital Management in 2005, focusing on private fund management in emerging markets.

2005: Resignation from NYSE Board

Albright resigned from the NYSE board in 2005 following the Richard Grasso compensation scandal.

2005: Honorary Degree from University of Winnipeg

In 2005, the University of Winnipeg awarded Madeleine Albright an honorary degree.

2006: Discussion of Fitness Regimen

In 2006, Madeleine Albright discussed her physical fitness and exercise routine in interviews.

2006: Great Immigrants Award

Madeleine Albright received the Great Immigrants Award from the Carnegie Corporation in 2006.

November 13, 2007: Co-chair of Genocide Prevention Task Force

On November 13, 2007, Albright and William Cohen were announced as co-chairs of a new Genocide Prevention Task Force, a move that drew criticism due to their past stances on the Armenian genocide.

November 16, 2007: Stepping Down from Council of Women World Leaders

On November 16, 2007, Albright concluded her role as chairwoman of the Council of Women World Leaders Women's Ministerial Initiative, passing the baton to Margot Wallström.

2007: Honorary Degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Madeleine Albright received an honorary degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2007.

December 1, 2008: Hillary Clinton Nominated for Secretary of State

Albright's close friend and informal advisor, Hillary Clinton, was nominated for the position of Secretary of State by President-elect Barack Obama on December 1, 2008. Albright had endorsed and supported Clinton's presidential campaign earlier that year.

2008: Honorary Degree from Knox College

Knox College awarded Madeleine Albright an honorary degree in 2008.

2008: Josef Korbel School of International Studies named

The Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver was named in honor of Madeleine Albright's father in 2008.

September 2009: Read My Pins Exhibition and Book

Albright's personal jewelry collection went on display at the Museum of Art and Design in New York City in September 2009, accompanied by her book "Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat's Jewel Box."

January 2010: End of Read My Pins Exhibition

The exhibition of Madeleine Albright's pin collection at the Museum of Art and Design in New York City concluded in January 2010.

2010: Induction into Colorado Women's Hall of Fame

In 2010, Madeleine Albright was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame.

2011: Founding of The Hague Institute for Global Justice

The Hague Institute for Global Justice, for which Albright later served as chair of the advisory council, was founded in 2011.

May 2012: Albright receives Presidential Medal of Freedom

In May 2012, Madeleine Albright was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.

August 2012: "Blame Forever" Comment

In August 2012, Albright made a pointed remark at an Obama campaign event, stating she would blame the previous administration "forever" for current problems.

October 2012: Confrontation with Activists in Prague

During a book signing in Prague in October 2012, Madeleine Albright was confronted by activists protesting her role in the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia. She responded with a controversial remark and the protesters were removed.

October 2012: Criticism of Mitt Romney's Foreign Policy Stance

In October 2012, Albright publicly criticized Mitt Romney's assessment of Russia as the United States' top geopolitical foe, questioning his understanding of 21st-century global dynamics.

2012: Proposed Privatization of Kosovo's Telecom

In 2012, Albright's investment firm, Albright Capital Management, prepared a bid for the privatization of Kosovo's telecom company. This bid was controversial due to Albright's involvement in the 1999 NATO bombing of Serbia and was eventually withdrawn.

March 2013: Listed Among 50 Best-Dressed Over 50s

In March 2013, Madeleine Albright was included in The Guardian's list of the 50 best-dressed over 50s.

2013: Honorary Degree from Bowdoin College

Madeleine Albright received an honorary degree from Bowdoin College in 2013.

2014: Honorary Degree from Dickinson College

In 2014, Dickinson College awarded Madeleine Albright an honorary degree.

2015: Honorary Degree from Tufts University

Madeleine Albright received an honorary degree from Tufts University in 2015.

2016: Chair of Albright Stonebridge Group and Advisory Roles

After 2016, Albright continued her work as chair of the Albright Stonebridge Group and held advisory roles with The Hague Institute for Global Justice and the World Justice Project.

2016: Professor at Georgetown University

As of 2016, Albright was serving as the Mortara Distinguished Professor of Diplomacy at the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

2016: "Special Place in Hell" Remark

During Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, Madeleine Albright made a controversial remark stating "there's a special place in hell for women who don't help each other," which drew criticism and was later clarified by Albright in a New York Times op-ed.

2017: Study on Iraq Sanctions and Child Mortality

A 2017 study published in the British Medical Journal of Global Health challenged the widely held belief that UN sanctions significantly increased child mortality in Iraq during the 1990s and early 2000s. The study suggested the data were fabricated by the Iraqi government.

2020: Apology for Remarks on UN Sanctions

In 2020, Madeleine Albright apologized for her 1996 remarks regarding the UN sanctions against Iraq, calling them "totally stupid" in an interview with The New York Times.

2020: Time Magazine's 100 Powerful Women

In 2020, Time magazine recognized Madeleine Albright as one of the 100 powerful women who defined the last century.

2020: Albright Addresses Sanctions Controversy in Memoir

In her 2020 memoir, Madeleine Albright addressed the controversy surrounding her 1996 remarks and the impact of UN sanctions on Iraq. She acknowledged her mistake while also citing a 2017 study that questioned the previously accepted data on child mortality.