The Most Famous Secretary of State, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the Secretary you think is the most famous!

Updated on Apr 27, 2024 07:14

In the intricate world of diplomacy and international relations, the role of a Secretary of State stands as a cornerstone, shaping the global direction of their nation. Over the years, numerous individuals have filled this pivotal position, each leaving a unique imprint on the fabric of international politics. Understanding who ranks as the most influential can provide insights into how past policies and diplomatic strategies have shaped the current global landscape. This ranked list of past Secretaries of State offers a dynamic way of assessing their impact and popularity based on public perception. By participating in this voting process, users contribute to a collective evaluation, highlighting which figures are considered most pivotal in the realm of international affairs. The ranking updates in real time, reflecting new votes and opinions, making every click a part of shaping this ongoing historical assessment.

Who Is the Most Famous Secretary of State?

1

74
votes
Marion S. Trikosko. · Public domain

Henry Kissinger

Known for his role in the Vietnam War and his diplomatic efforts in the Cold War, Kissinger is often regarded as one of the most influential Secretaries of State in U.S. history. He also helped negotiate the end of the Yom Kippur War and played a key role in the opening of relations between the U.S. and China.
Henry Kissinger in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous ambassador
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous immigrant in the US
2

32
votes
Hillary Clinton

Clinton was the first woman to be nominated for President by a major political party, and before that, she served as Secretary of State under President Barack Obama. During her tenure, she played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, including the Arab Spring and the intervention in Libya.
Hillary Clinton in other rankings
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous Scorpio
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous person in Washington, DC
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous person from Chicago
3

19
votes
Department of State of the United States of America · Public domain

Colin Powell

Powell served as Secretary of State under President George W. Bush, and was instrumental in building the international coalition that invaded Iraq in 2003. He also helped broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians during the early 2000s.
Colin Powell in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Colin
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous person from the Bronx
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous Vietnam veteran
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous army general
4

23
votes
Condoleezza Rice

Rice was the first African-American woman to serve as Secretary of State, and was a key player in the Bush administration's foreign policy during the War on Terror. She also helped negotiate the end of the Second Lebanon War and played a role in the Six-Party Talks with North Korea.
Condoleezza Rice in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous ambassador
5

19
votes
Rembrandt Peale · Public domain

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson

Before serving as President, Jefferson served as Secretary of State under George Washington. During his tenure, he oversaw the Louisiana Purchase and helped negotiate treaties with Britain and France.
Thomas Jefferson was the third President of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1809. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and a key figure in the early development of the nation. Jefferson was known for his roles as a statesman, philosopher, architect, diplomat, and writer.

Date of Birth: April 13, 1743

Date of Death: July 4, 1826

Political Party: Democratic-Republican

Occupation: Politician, Lawyer, Planter

Key Achievements: Declaration of Independence, Louisiana Purchase
Thomas Jefferson in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous person in Virginia
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous Thomas
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular character from Hamilton
6

15
votes

U.S. Department of State from United States · Public domain

James Baker

Baker served as Secretary of State under President George H.W. Bush, and played a key role in the Gulf War and the fall of the Soviet Union. He also helped negotiate the Madrid Peace Conference, which laid the groundwork for future peace negotiations between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
7

16
votes

United States Department of State · Public domain

John Kerry

Kerry served as Secretary of State under President Barack Obama, and helped negotiate the Iran nuclear deal and the Paris climate agreement. He also played a role in the normalization of relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
8

4
votes
United States Department of State · Public domain

Madeleine Albright

Albright was the first woman to serve as Secretary of State, and played a key role in NATO's intervention in Kosovo. She also helped negotiate the Dayton Accords, which ended the war in Bosnia.
Madeleine Albright in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous immigrant in the US
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous refugee
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous ambassador
9

6
votes

George Marshall

Marshall served as Secretary of State under President Harry Truman, and is best known for his role in the Marshall Plan, which helped rebuild Europe after World War II. He also played a key role in the creation of NATO.
10

2
votes

Mathew Brady · Public domain

William Seward

Seward served as Secretary of State under Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, and is best known for negotiating the purchase of Alaska from Russia. He also helped prevent Great Britain and France from intervening in the American Civil War.

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Ranking factors for famous Secretary

Historical significance

The impact and lasting influence of their policies and initiatives on domestic and international affairs. 2. Diplomatic achievements: Successful negotiations and treaties that have shaped diplomatic relations between nations. 3. Global recognition: The level of recognition and reputation they have achieved on an international scale. 4. Impact on US foreign policy: The extent to which their strategic decisions and actions have shaped the direction and effectiveness of US foreign policy. 5. Public perception: The general public's awareness of the Secretary of State and their opinion of their contributions. 6. Media coverage: The amount and tone of media coverage they have received during their tenure. 7. Longevity in the role: The length of time they served as Secretary of State and the impact of their tenure over time. 8. Personal charisma: The ability to engage with the public, gain support, and inspire confidence in their leadership and diplomatic skills. 9. Legacy: Their lasting impact on the office of Secretary of State and their influence on subsequent Secretaries. 10. Overall historical and cultural significance: The degree to which they are remembered and studied for their contributions to history and international relations.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Secretary of State. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Secretary is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2511 views
207 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Secretary once every 24 hours. The rank of each Secretary is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous secretary of state

As the top diplomat of the United States, the Secretary of State plays a crucial role in shaping foreign policy and representing the country on the global stage. Throughout history, many notable figures have held this position, each leaving their own unique mark on American diplomacy. From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Kissinger, the list of former Secretaries of State is a who's who of American politics. But who among them can claim the title of the most famous? Join us as we explore the lives and legacies of some of the most influential Secretaries of State in US history and determine who truly deserves the title of the most famous.