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Josef Korbel

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Josef Korbel (1909 - 1997), father of Madeleine Albright. Though he served as a diplomat in Czechoslovakia, Korbel's Jewish heritage forced him to flee after the Nazi invasion in 1939. He served as an advisor to the exiled Czech president in London until the Nazis were overthrown. He returned to Czechoslovakia to serve as the country's ambassador to Yugoslavia, but was forced to flee again during the Communist coup in 1948.

After learning that he had been tried and sentenced to death in absentia, Korbel was granted political asylum in the United States. He was hired to teach international politics at the University of Denver, and became the Dean of International Studies. One of his students was Condoleezza Rice, the first black woman appointed United States National Security Advisor. His daughter Madeleine Albright became the first female United States Secretary of State.

After his death, the University of Denver established the Josef Korbel Humanitarian Award in 2000. Though he has left a legacy as a political teacher, Korbel has also invited controversy. He has been accused of stealing art treasures and furniture from his former home in Prague before leaving the country.


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