Rice: The Most Powerful Woman in the World

Author: (German) Schack
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Kissinger has become the patriarch of diplomacy for a generation, and whether Rice can usher in an era of outstanding female diplomacy remains to be seen. — U.S. Star Island Daily News
Her time with the President is second only to Mrs. Laura. When the President is with Rice, his language and demeanor are so relaxed. — U.S. Vogue
Condoleezza Rice was born on November 14, 1954, in Birmingham, Alabama, and moved to Denver with her family in 1963. Thanks to her privileged family background, Rice received a top-notch education from a young age. At the age of 15, she became a student at the University of Denver, studying British literature and American political science. Under the guidance of Professor Cabell, Rice focused her research on Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. At 19, she earned her Bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Denver. Later, she obtained her Master's degree in political science from Notre Dame University in 1975 and her Ph.D. in political science from the University of Denver's graduate school of international studies in 1981.
In 1981, at the age of 26, Rice became a lecturer at Stanford University. In January 1989, at just 34, she joined the George H.W. Bush administration as Special Assistant for National Security Affairs, marking the beginning of her political career. As a Russia expert in the Bush administration, Rice became the highest-ranking Black woman in U.S. government history. After her four-year term, she joined the Hoover Institution as a senior fellow.
In 1993, Rice became the Vice Provost at Stanford University, becoming the youngest and first Black Vice Provost in the institution's history. During the 2000 U.S. presidential election, Rice served as the chief foreign policy advisor to Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush, helping him strategize. After Bush's election, he appointed Rice as his National Security Advisor. She has consistently been a trusted aide to the President.
In November 2004, President Bush nominated Rice for Secretary of State, making her the second woman in U.S. history to hold the position, following Madeleine Albright of the Clinton administration. In February 2002, Rice accompanied President Bush on a visit to China. In July 2004, Rice visited China herself. Rice speaks fluent Russian and is an expert in Russian (Soviet) arms control. She is known for her clear thinking, precision in addressing issues, and exceptional ability to articulate ideas. She is also a well-read and diligent scholar. Additionally, she studied French for nine years and plays the piano skillfully. Rice remains single and enjoys watching sports.