Nancy Pelosi

Nancy Pelosi
Born	Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro 26 3, 1940
Birthplace	Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	First woman to serve as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Education	Trinity Washington University (B.A., 1962)
Spouse(s)	Paul Pelosi (m. 1963)
Children	5
Awards	Presidential Medal of Freedom (2024)

Nancy Patricia Pelosi (née D'Alesandro; born March 26, 1940) is an American politician who served as the 52nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, she made history as the first woman to hold the speakership and the first woman to lead a major political party in either chamber of the United States Congress. Born into a politically prominent Baltimore family — her father, Thomas D'Alesandro Jr., served in Congress and as mayor of Baltimore — Pelosi moved to San Francisco with her husband, businessman Paul Pelosi, and raised five children before entering electoral politics. She has represented California's congressional district encompassing most of San Francisco since winning a special election in 1987 and is currently in her 20th term. During her tenure as the leader of the House Democratic Caucus from 2003 to 2023 — a span of 20 years tied with Joe Martin as the second-longest after Sam Rayburn — Pelosi oversaw the passage of major legislation under three presidential administrations and guided her party through some of the most consequential political episodes in modern American history, including two impeachments of President Donald Trump. In February 2026, as Pelosi prepared for retirement, Democratic officials at the California Democratic Party convention in San Francisco celebrated her career and advocacy.

Early Life

Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro was born on March 26, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, into a family deeply embedded in Democratic politics. Her father, Thomas D'Alesandro Jr., served as a member of the United States House of Representatives representing Maryland before becoming the mayor of Baltimore, a position he held for twelve years. Growing up in Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood, Pelosi was immersed in the mechanics of constituent service and party organizing from a young age. Her family's home frequently served as a hub for Democratic political activity, and her father maintained a "favor file" documenting the assistance his office provided to constituents — a formative experience that introduced the young Nancy to the transactional nature of political life and the importance of building personal relationships.

Pelosi was one of six children in the D'Alesandro family and the only girl, with five older brothers. Her brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, also pursued a career in politics and later served as mayor of Baltimore, continuing the family's political dynasty. The D'Alesandro household was Catholic and Italian-American, and the values of community engagement, public service, and loyalty that characterized her upbringing would shape Pelosi's approach to politics throughout her career.

Pelosi attended the Institute of Notre Dame, a Catholic all-girls high school in Baltimore. Even during her school years, she showed an interest in politics, attending the 1960 inauguration of President John F. Kennedy as a college student. The combination of her family's political legacy and her Catholic education instilled in her both a pragmatic understanding of the political process and a moral framework rooted in social justice teachings.

Education

Pelosi enrolled at Trinity College in Washington, D.C. (now Trinity Washington University), a Catholic women's college. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science in 1962. Her time in Washington during her college years allowed her to observe national politics firsthand, further deepening her interest in public life. While attending Trinity, she interned for Senator Daniel Brewster of Maryland, gaining early experience in the operations of a congressional office.

In 1963, one year after graduating from college, Nancy D'Alesandro married Paul Frank Pelosi, a native of San Francisco who had come to the East Coast to attend Georgetown University. The couple initially settled in New York City before relocating to San Francisco, where Paul Pelosi pursued a career in real estate and venture capital investing. The move to California would prove pivotal, as it placed Nancy Pelosi in the milieu of San Francisco's progressive Democratic politics.

Career

Early Political Involvement

After moving to San Francisco, Pelosi focused primarily on raising the couple's five children during the 1960s and 1970s. However, she remained active in Democratic Party politics as a volunteer and organizer. She began hosting fundraisers and working on local and state Democratic campaigns, steadily building a network of relationships within the party. Her organizational skills and fundraising abilities drew attention from party leaders, and she advanced through a series of party positions.

Pelosi served as a Democratic Party organizer in California and was elected chair of the California Democratic Party in 1981, a position she held until 1983. Her work at the state party level gave her significant influence within California's Democratic establishment. In 1984, she served as chair of the Host Committee for the 1984 Democratic National Convention, held in San Francisco, further raising her profile. She also served on the Democratic National Committee and as finance chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Election to Congress

In 1987, Representative Sala Burton, who held California's 5th congressional district seat encompassing much of San Francisco, was terminally ill with cancer. Before her death, Burton endorsed Pelosi as her successor. In the special election held on June 2, 1987, to fill Burton's seat, Pelosi won a competitive primary and then the general election. She was 47 years old when she took office — relatively late for a first-term member of Congress, but her extensive party experience and network meant she arrived in Washington with a level of political sophistication and connections that most freshmen lacked.

Pelosi represented various iterations of San Francisco-based districts as redistricting altered the boundaries over the decades. As of her most recent terms, she has represented California's 11th congressional district, which includes most of San Francisco. She is the dean of California's congressional delegation, the longest-serving member of the state's House contingent.

Rise Through Democratic Leadership

Over her first decade and a half in Congress, Pelosi built a reputation as an effective vote counter, coalition builder, and fundraiser. These skills propelled her through the ranks of the House Democratic Caucus. In 2001, she was elected House Minority Whip, the second-highest position in the Democratic caucus, defeating Representative Steny Hoyer of Maryland. This marked the first time a woman had held such a senior leadership position in either party in Congress.

When House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt stepped down in 2002, Pelosi was elected as his successor, becoming the first woman to lead a major party in Congress. As minority leader, she worked to unify her caucus and position the party to compete for a House majority. Her tenure as leader of the House Democratic Caucus from January 3, 2003, to January 3, 2023, spanned 20 years, making it tied with Joe Martin's service as the second-longest tenure as a House party leader, behind only Sam Rayburn.

First Speakership (2007–2011)

In the 2006 midterm elections, Pelosi led the Democratic Party to a net gain of 30 seats in the House, giving Democrats the majority for the first time in 12 years. On January 4, 2007, the House elected Pelosi as the 52nd Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, making her the first woman in American history to hold the position. As Speaker, she was second in the presidential line of succession, behind only the Vice President, making her the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government at that time.

During her first speakership, Pelosi emerged as a major opponent of the Iraq War and clashed with the George W. Bush administration on multiple policy fronts. She opposed the Bush administration's efforts to partially privatize Social Security, helping to block the proposal from advancing in Congress. Anti-war activists in San Francisco at times protested outside Pelosi's home, pressing her to take stronger action against the war.

Pelosi also navigated foreign policy controversies during this period. In 2007, she drew attention and criticism for her visit to Syria, where she met with President Bashar al-Assad, a trip the Bush administration characterized as inappropriate interference with executive branch foreign policy prerogatives. She also played a role in debates over the proposed congressional resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide, which created diplomatic tensions with Turkey.

Following the election of President Barack Obama in 2008, Pelosi's speakership became a vehicle for enacting a series of major pieces of legislation. She played a central role in passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the economic stimulus package designed to address the Great Recession. She then marshaled the House Democratic caucus through the lengthy and politically fraught process of passing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010, which extended health insurance coverage to millions of Americans. Her ability to hold together a diverse caucus — spanning progressive and moderate Democrats — to pass the ACA is considered one of her most significant legislative accomplishments. She also helped shepherd the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, and the 2010 Tax Relief Act through the House.

Pelosi lost the speakership after the 2010 midterm elections, in which the Republican Party gained 63 seats and reclaimed the House majority. She chose to remain as the leader of the House Democrats and was elected House Minority Leader in January 2011.

Minority Leader (2011–2019)

During her second stint as Minority Leader, from 2011 to 2019, Pelosi led the Democratic caucus in opposition to Republican Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan. She worked to maintain party unity and used her position to block or negotiate modifications to Republican legislative proposals. Her fundraising prowess remained a significant asset for the party; she raised hundreds of millions of dollars for Democratic candidates over the course of her leadership career.

During this period, Pelosi addressed controversies surrounding members of Congress and stock trading. In 2011, a CBS News 60 Minutes report raised questions about whether members of Congress, including Pelosi, had benefited from stock trades related to information gained through their official duties. Pelosi's office described the report as a "smear." In 2012, Pelosi supported the passage of the STOCK Act, which prohibited insider trading by members of Congress and required greater disclosure of financial transactions. Questions about the Pelosi family's stock trading have continued to attract media attention. In February 2026, financial media reported on the stock holdings in Pelosi's disclosure filings, noting overlaps between her portfolio and those of prominent investors.

Second Speakership (2019–2023)

In the 2018 midterm elections, Democrats gained 40 seats to regain control of the House. On January 3, 2019, Pelosi was elected Speaker for a second time, becoming the first former Speaker to reclaim the gavel since Sam Rayburn in 1955. Her predecessor as Speaker was Republican Paul Ryan, and her successor after the second term would be Republican Kevin McCarthy.

Pelosi's second speakership was dominated by confrontation with the Trump administration. In December 2019, the House voted to impeach President Donald Trump on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to his interactions with the government of Ukraine. The Senate acquitted Trump in February 2020, as the proceedings failed to reach the two-thirds majority required for conviction. Following the January 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol, the House impeached Trump a second time, on a charge of incitement of insurrection, making him the first president in American history to be impeached twice. The Senate again acquitted Trump.

During the Biden administration, Pelosi contributed to the passage of several major pieces of legislation, including the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act. These legislative achievements added to her record as one of the most productive Speakers in modern congressional history.

Transition from Leadership and Retirement

In November 2022, following the Democrats' loss of the House majority in the 2022 midterm elections, Pelosi announced that she would step down from the Democratic leadership, though she would continue to serve in Congress. She was succeeded as leader of the House Democratic Caucus by Representative Hakeem Jeffries of New York, the first African American to lead either party in Congress.

Pelosi continued to serve in the House as Speaker Emerita and remained an influential figure within the party. By 2026, she had announced her intention to retire, prompting a race for her congressional seat. State Senator Scott Wiener emerged as a leading candidate to succeed her, winning the endorsement of the California Democratic Party at its February 2026 convention in San Francisco. At the convention, Democratic officials celebrated Pelosi's career and advocacy in what media described as a tribute to the retiring lawmaker.

Even in preparing for retirement, Pelosi remained active in Democratic politics. In February 2026, she made a surprise endorsement in a Sacramento-area congressional race, a move that drew attention and deepened intraparty divisions in that contest.

Personal Life

Nancy Pelosi married Paul Frank Pelosi in 1963. Paul Pelosi built a career as a businessman and investor in San Francisco, focusing on real estate and venture capital. The couple has five children: Nancy Corinne, Christine, Jacqueline, Paul Jr., and Alexandra. Alexandra Pelosi became a documentary filmmaker and journalist.

The Pelosi family has maintained a home in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco. Paul Pelosi's business activities and stock trades have attracted public scrutiny and media coverage, particularly regarding the question of whether his investment decisions could be influenced by his wife's access to legislative information.

On October 28, 2022, Paul Pelosi was attacked in the couple's San Francisco home by an intruder who had broken in seeking to confront the Speaker. Paul Pelosi was hospitalized with serious injuries, including a skull fracture. The attack drew widespread condemnation and heightened concerns about political violence and threats against public officials.

Pelosi is a practicing Catholic and has frequently cited her faith as an influence on her political views, particularly on issues related to poverty and social justice. Her Catholic identity has also placed her at the center of debates within the Church, as some Catholic leaders have criticized her support for abortion rights.

Recognition

Pelosi's ascension to the speakership in 2007 was itself a historic milestone, as she became the first woman to hold the position, which placed her second in the presidential line of succession. Until Vice President Kamala Harris took office in January 2021, Pelosi held the record as the highest-ranking woman in the history of the U.S. government's line of succession.

Time magazine has profiled Pelosi on multiple occasions and included her on its lists of influential figures. Her role in passing the Affordable Care Act, in particular, has been cited by historians and political analysts as a defining achievement of her speakership. Her ability to manage the diverse factions within the House Democratic Caucus — from progressive members to moderates representing swing districts — has been noted as a distinctive feature of her leadership style.

In 2024, President Joe Biden awarded Pelosi the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor.

Media interest in Pelosi has extended well beyond traditional political coverage. At one point in 2009, Pelosi's name generated more internet search interest than pop star Britney Spears, a measure of her prominence in the national conversation.

Legacy

Nancy Pelosi's legacy in American politics is anchored in several distinct achievements. She was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, breaking a barrier that had stood for the more than two centuries of the republic's existence. Her tenure as the leader of the House Democratic Caucus for 20 years made her one of the longest-serving party leaders in congressional history.

Legislatively, Pelosi's speakerships saw the passage of some of the most significant laws enacted in the early 21st century. During her first term as Speaker, the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd–Frank Act, the economic stimulus of 2009, and the repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy all passed the House under her stewardship. During her second term, the American Rescue Plan, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the CHIPS and Science Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act became law. This legislative record places her among the most productive Speakers in the history of the institution.

Pelosi's role in the two impeachments of President Donald Trump marked another dimension of her legacy. She initially resisted calls from progressives within her caucus to pursue impeachment, opting to act only when she determined that the evidence and political circumstances warranted the step. Her decision to proceed, and her management of the process, reflected the strategic calculations that characterized her leadership.

Her fundraising capacity reshaped expectations for congressional leaders. Pelosi raised hundreds of millions of dollars for Democratic candidates over her career, making the party leader's role as fundraiser-in-chief a central feature of the position.

As Pelosi prepared to leave Congress in 2026, the California Democratic Party convention in San Francisco served as a public recognition of her influence on both the state and national party. The race to succeed her in her San Francisco-based district attracted significant attention, underscoring the weight of the seat she had held for nearly four decades.