Madeleine Albright
Actor
About Madeleine Albright
Madeleine Albright was not a classic cinema actor from the silent era or Golden Age of Hollywood. She was actually a prominent American diplomat and politician who served as the first female United States Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. Born in Czechoslovakia, she immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen. Albright had a distinguished career in academia and government service before becoming Secretary of State. She appeared as herself in various documentaries and news programs, but her career was in diplomacy and international relations, not acting. The reference to 'The Final Days' (2000) appears to be incorrect as she was not an actor in any films of that name.
The Craft
Milestones
- First female U.S. Secretary of State (1997-2001)
- U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations (1993-1997)
- Professor at Georgetown University
Accolades
Won
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2012)
- Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order (2003)
Special Recognition
- Hollywood Walk of Fame star (unrelated to acting)
Why They Matter
Impact on Culture
Madeleine Albright's impact was in international diplomacy and politics, not cinema. She broke gender barriers as the first female Secretary of State and was known for her role in shaping U.S. foreign policy in the post-Cold War era. Her influence extended to promoting democracy and human rights globally.
Lasting Legacy
Albright's legacy is in diplomacy and international relations, where she paved the way for women in high-level government positions. She authored several books on foreign policy and remained active in international affairs until her death.
Who They Inspired
She influenced generations of diplomats and women in politics, but had no influence on classic cinema or film history.
Off Screen
Madeleine Albright was married twice and had three daughters. She was a grandmother to six grandchildren. Her family fled Czechoslovakia after the Communist takeover in 1948, first moving to London and then to the United States in 1948. She converted from Catholicism to Episcopalianism and later discovered her Jewish heritage.
Education
B.A. from Wellesley College (1959), Ph.D. from Columbia University (1975) in Public Law and Government
Family
- Joseph Medill Patterson Albright (1959-1982)
- Joseph Albright (divorced)
Did You Know?
- She learned at age 59 that her parents were Jewish and that many of her relatives died in the Holocaust
- She was fluent in English, French, Russian, and Czech
- Her famous quote 'The purpose of foreign policy is not to provide an outlet for our own sentiments of hope or indignation' reflects her pragmatic approach
- She wore distinctive brooches as diplomatic signals
- She was the first woman to lead the State Department
In Their Own Words
The purpose of foreign policy is not to provide an outlet for our own sentiments of hope or indignation; it is to shape real events in real countries in real time.
I'm an optimist who worries a lot.
We must stop the myth that women are victims in their own societies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Madeleine Albright?
Madeleine Albright was the first female United States Secretary of State, serving from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. She was a prominent diplomat and politician, not a classic cinema actor.
What films is Madeleine Albright best known for?
Madeleine Albright was not an actress and did not appear in feature films. She appeared as herself in documentaries and news programs related to her diplomatic work.
When was Madeleine Albright born and when did she die?
Madeleine Albright was born on May 15, 1937, in Prague, Czechoslovakia, and died on March 23, 2022, in Washington, D.C.
What awards did Madeleine Albright win?
She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012, the Grawemeyer Award for Ideas Improving World Order in 2003, and numerous other honors for her diplomatic service.
What was Madeleine Albright's career?
Albright had a distinguished career in academia and government service, including serving as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and later as Secretary of State. She was not involved in the film industry.
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Films
1 film
