Czech born former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright dies aged 84

Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who was a native Czech, has died of cancer at the age of 84, a statement from family members on her account stated on Wednesday.  She died surrounded by her family and friends.

As the First woman in history, Albright served as Secretary of State under US President Clinton from 1997 to 2001. In 2012 she was awarded the presidential medal of freedom.

Born Marie Korbelová in Prague in 1937, Madeleine Albright grew up in the UK with her family in exile, she then served in the US administration during the Cold War.

She was always close to her native Czech Republic. NATO borders were expanded in 1999 under her leadership as Secretary of State to include Czechia. She also warned of Vladimir Putin’s Russia.