(Reuters) – Madeleine Albright was the first woman U.S. secretary-general. She was a visionary and trailblazer who made a difference in the lives of others through her compassion for all people.

Albright, age 84, has died due to cancer. Her family released the following statement.

These are quotations from former and present leaders regarding her passing.

U.S.PRESIDENT JOE BODEN: “Madeleine Albright is a powerful force. They were her hands who turned the tides of history… Madeleine is my inspiration. I’ll always be reminded of her belief that America was the only nation worth fighting for.

CZECH PRIME MINISTER PETR FIALA: “Few of the world’s leaders did so much for our country as Madeleine Albright. Her family was born in Czechoslovakia. She fled the oppressive dictatorship that threatened her life and the lives of their children. She was given a chance to live in the world of the free and made the most of it. We are grateful. We’ll never forget you.”

FRANKLIN, FORMER U.S. PRINCE AND HILLARY CLINTON, FORMER SEECRETARY of STATE: “Hillary (and I) are deeply saddened by Albright’s passing. “She was an excellent Secretary of State and UN Ambassador. She was also a gifted professor. And she was an extraordinary person.”

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations LINDA THOMAS GREENFIELD We are all stronger because of her dedication to our nation and United Nations.

TONY BLAIRE, AN EX-BRITISH PRIME MINISTER: MADELEINE WAS ONE OF THE BEST PERSONS I’VE EVER HAD the honor to have as a colleague. She was a brilliant thinker, had a lively mind and showed deep compassion for the human race.

U.S. SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL: “You didn’t have to share every one of Secretary Albright’s policy views to appreciate her dedicated leadership on behalf of our nation …

Secretary Albright was acutely aware that America is a world power, with global interests and global responsibility and should act accordingly

BARACK OBAMA, AN EX-US PRESIDENT: “It is because of people such as Madeleine, that the story America is ultimately one of hope – an upward journey.”

FRANKFURT PRESIDENT OF THE U.S.GEORGE BUSH: She lived the American dream and assisted others to realize it.

GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE DEAN JOEL HELLMAN: “Albright combined a scholar’s appreciation for the arc of history, an immigrant’s recognition of the great promise of America, a woman’s understanding of what it means to shatter glass ceilings, and a seasoned diplomat’s ability to disarm her opponents with wit, charm, and grace.”