'A daughter of Colorado:' Madeleine Albright passes away at 84

DENVER — Madeleine Albright, the first woman to serve as U.S. secretary of state, died Wednesday at 84 years old.

Albright died of cancer, surrounded by her family and friends, according to a statement her family tweeted Wednesday afternoon.

Born in Prague, Albright's family immigrated to the United States in 1948 as refugees, settling in Denver. She graduated from Kent Denver School, where she founded the school’s international relations club and was its first president, according to her biography in the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. Albright also worked at the Denver Post library.

As secretary of state, Albright "reinforced America’s alliances, advocated democracy and human rights, and promoted American trade and business, labor, and environmental standards abroad," the biography states.

"The real question is: Who has the responsibility to uphold human rights? The answer to that is: everyone," Albright once said.

International relations were part of Albright's life from an early age. Her father, Josef Korbel, was a diplomat who worked at the University of Denver. He was the first dean of the university's school of international studies, which was named after him in 2008. One of Korbel's students was Condoleezza Rice, who would go on to follow in Albright's footsteps as secretary of state.

From 1993 to 1997, Albright served as the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations and as a member of President Bill Clinton's cabinet. Albright served as Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001. 

Albright was inducted into the Colorado Women's Hall of Fame in 2010. Two years later, then-President Barack Obama awarded Albright the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor.

Even after retirement, Albright remained involved in global politics. In August of 2021, she participated in a virtual press conference with Democratic Congressman Jason Crow, who serves Aurora, to discuss the Taliban's rise to power in Afghanistan.

Several Colorado leaders released statements mourning Albright’s death and celebrating her legacy.

“Denver mourns the loss of Madeleine Albright, the nation's first woman to serve as Secretary of State. She was a champion for global human rights and made a lasting impact in U.S. foreign policy. Sending my condolences to her loved ones and friends during this time,” Denver Mayor Michael Hancock wrote in a tweet.

Gov. Jared Polis added a similar sentiment in a statement:

"Today, we mourn the loss of a true pioneer and history-maker with proud, deep roots in Colorado where her family moved when she was a young girl. Coloradans, Americans, and people around the world will be indebted to her service," the governor said. "My heart goes out to former Secretary Albright’s loved ones and the international community, where her life continues to teach our nation and the world lessons of determination, wisdom, and grace in times of peace or unrest."

Polis ordered flags to half-staff following news of Albright's death.

"Sorry to hear of the passing of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright," U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.) said. "She took many of the values she learned growing up here in Colorado to make history and lead our nation with determination and dignity."

Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) called Albright a "daughter of Colorado."