Madeleine Albright Dead At 84: 'A Tireless Champion Of Democracy'

American politician and diplomat Madeleine Albright has passed away.

Born in Prague, Czechia, the first female Secretary of State was 84 years old. She served as the 64th United States Secretary of State from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton.

The family of the late Albright confirmed that she had passed away from cancer in a statement shared on her Twitter account.

“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,” the statement began. “The cause was cancer. She was surrounded by family and friends. We have lost a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.”

“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 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 National Cathedral,” the statement concluded. “She was 84 years old.”

Many took to Twitter to share their condolences. NBC’s Michael Beschloss tweeted, “Very sad about Madeleine Albright, a lovely, great, proud American who always understood the importance of democracy here and abroad.”

CNN’s Jamie Gangel tweeted, “Breaking: Sad news about a trailblazer. Madeleine Albright, first female US secretary of state dies. I was honored to interview her about her life, work and discovery that her family was Jewish. She was smart, funny and kind. Her memory is a blessing.”

Icon Billie Jean King tweeted, “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. #RememberHerName”

Neera Tanden tweeted, “I am truly heartbroken by the news of Madeleine Albright's passing. We worked together in many arenas but most when she was on the Board of CAP. She was a role model, inspiration and mentor. And she widened the path for so many women leaders. Such a tremendous loss.”

MSNBC’s Ben Rhodes tweeted, “Among everything else she did, Madeleine Albright was always exceedingly generous to and encouraging of younger people coming up in national security. In what is usually a tough and competitive field, she always extended a hand, opened her home, and shared her wisdom.”