"Fearless fighter for freedom": Political world reacts to death of former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

Madeleine Albright, who in 1997 became the first woman to serve as U.S. secretary of state, died of cancer on Wednesday. Current and former politicians from the U.S. and abroad mourned Albright's death.

Former President Bill Clinton, who chose Albright to lead the State Department, was one of the first to release a statement Wednesday afternoon.

"Hillary and I are profoundly saddened by the passing of Madeleine Albright," the statement said. "She was one of the finest Secretaries of State, an outstanding UN Ambassador, a brilliant professor, and an extraordinary human being."