THE MANY LIVES OF MADELEINE

SECRETARY ALBRIGHT, REFUGEE, PROFESSOR, POLITICIAN, AMBASSADOR, IS WELL SUITED TO REINVENTING THE ROLE SHE FINALLY WON--AND HASN'T WASTED ANY TIME GETTING STARTED

By the time Madeleine Albright sinks into a wicker chair at a corner table in a quiet Georgetown restaurant, the circles under her eyes are dark and deep. She's running an hour late; she's skipped a reception at the Czech embassy. Her ambassador in Paris is dying. It has been a long day. The Merlot comes in a big glass.

When she is tired, she can slide, invisibly and gracefully, into auto-pilot, so she can keep on thinking even as she tells her stories. Her voice is at once warm and precise--her transitions seamless as she knits together bits of speeches,...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!