Nancy Pelosi
Born 1940 · Age 85
American Democratic politician; U.S. Representative from San Francisco since 1987; first woman Speaker of the U.S. House (2007–2011, 2019–2023); long-time House Democratic leader (2003–2023).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Baltimore, Maryland
Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro born into a politically active Italian-American family; daughter of Congressman Thomas D'Alesandro Jr.
Graduated Institute of Notre Dame (high school)
Graduated from the all-girls Catholic Institute of Notre Dame in Baltimore.
Interned for Senator Daniel Brewster
Interned alongside future House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer; early congressional exposure in the 1960s.
Began volunteer political activity
Became active in Democratic Party volunteer work in the 1960s while raising a family.
BA in Political Science from Trinity College
Graduated from Trinity College (Washington, D.C.) with a Bachelor of Arts in political science.
Married Paul Pelosi
Married businessman Paul Pelosi; the couple later had five children.
Moved and settled in San Francisco
After marriage and a period in New York, the family settled in San Francisco (date per some sources: ~1969).
Elected Democratic National Committee member (California)
Elected DNC member from California; served as a member through 1996.
Chair, Northern California Democratic Party
Elected party chair for Northern California.
Chair, California Democratic Party (start)
Assumed leadership of the California Democratic Party (served Feb 27, 1981 – Apr 3, 1983).
Phil Burton dies; Pelosi becomes his political ally/successor contender
Congressman Phil Burton's death (1983) set up future succession; his wife Sala Burton later asked Pelosi to run for the seat.
Chair, San Francisco DNC Host Committee (1984 convention)
Served as the host committee chairwoman when San Francisco hosted the 1984 Democratic National Convention.
Finance Chair, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
Served as DSCC finance chair from 1985 to 1986; major role in fundraising for Senate races.
AIDS advocacy and staff hire
Early in her first term Pelosi hired a gay man as congressional office director of AIDS policy and publicly committed to advocacy for those affected by HIV/AIDS.
Voted for Abandoned Shipwrecks Act (1987/1988)
Voted for the Abandoned Shipwrecks Act; law signed by President Reagan Apr 28, 1988.
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives (special election)
Won special election to succeed Sala Burton and assumed office representing San Francisco area (then CA 5th district).
Voted to override Reagan veto: Civil Rights Restoration Act
Supported the Civil Rights Restoration Act and voted to override President Reagan's veto (March 1988).
Secured 'Pelosi Amendment' on environmental impacts
Succeeded in passage of the 'Pelosi Amendment' to help assess environmental impacts of development.
Co-authored Ryan White CARE Act (signed into law)
Co-authored the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act; signed by President George H. W. Bush in December 1990.
Joined House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
Became a member of the House Intelligence Committee (served 1993–2003; later Ranking Member).
Helped shape Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
Worked with Senators including Dianne Feinstein and Charles Schumer on the Brady Act, which became law in 1994.
Became Ranking Member on House Intelligence Committee
Served as ranking member on the Intelligence Committee until elevation to caucus leadership.
Elected House Minority Whip (first woman)
Elected House Democratic Whip (second-in-command), a historic first for a woman in that post (in-office start around Jan 2002).
Elected House Minority Leader (first woman)
Elected by House Democrats to succeed Dick Gephardt; first woman to lead a major party in either chamber of Congress.
Raised over $400 million (2003–2014)
Between 2003 and 2014 Pelosi raised in excess of $400 million in campaign funds and transfers for Democrats.
Recognized as top Democratic fundraiser
By the 2000–2002 cycles Pelosi was among the top contributors to other congressional campaigns and became a major party fundraiser.
Became first woman to lead a major party in either chamber
Historic milestone: first female leader of a major party in the U.S. Congress (became House Democratic Leader in 2003).
Became Leader of House Democratic Caucus
Officially assumed minority leader duties and led House Democrats (role she held through 2023).
Democrats pick up 30 House seats in midterms
2006 midterm wave gave Democrats control of the House (net gain ~30 seats); Pelosi nominated by the caucus for Speaker.
Democratic caucus unanimously nominates Pelosi for Speaker
Pelosi formally nominated by the House Democratic Caucus to be Speaker of the House for the next Congress.
Enacted comprehensive energy legislation
As Speaker, helped enact 2007 energy legislation that raised fuel-efficiency standards and advanced biofuels commitments.
Elected 52nd Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Elected Speaker (first woman, first Californian, first Italian-American in the post) after Democrats won the House majority.
Permanent Chair, 2008 Democratic National Convention
Named Permanent Chair of the 2008 DNC in Denver, supporting the nomination of Barack Obama.
Published 'Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters'
Authored and published a book encouraging women in politics.
Reelected Speaker for the 111th Congress
Pelosi continued as Speaker after the 2008 elections and led the House during early Obama administration legislative efforts.
Led passage of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Helped shepherd the $787 billion stimulus package through the House in response to the Great Recession.
Lost speakership after 2010 midterms
Republicans regained the House majority in the 2010 midterms; Pelosi relinquished the Speaker's gavel but remained Democratic leader.
Helped pass Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform
Led House passage of Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform to increase financial regulation and consumer protections.
House passes Affordable Care Act (ACA)
Pelosi was instrumental in passing the ACA; the law extended coverage to roughly 30 million previously uninsured Americans.
Became House Minority Leader (again)
Returned to serve as House Minority Leader after Republicans took the majority (served 2011–2019 as minority leader).
Inducted into National Women's Hall of Fame
Honored at a ceremony in Seneca Falls for contributions to public service and women's leadership.
Commencement Address & Honorary Doctor of Public Service (Morgan State)
Delivered the 140th commencement address and received an honorary doctorate on May 21, 2016.
Democrats regain House majority in 2018 midterms
Democratic victory in 2018 midterms led to Pelosi being nominated again to be Speaker.
Received Profile in Courage Award
Honored with the Profile in Courage Award for leadership and public service.
Elected Speaker of the House (second tenure)
Became Speaker again (116th Congress), the first former Speaker to regain the gavel since 1955.
Opened formal impeachment inquiry into President Trump
Launched a House impeachment inquiry after the Ukraine whistleblower allegations (September 2019).
House impeaches President Trump (first of second speakership)
House voted to impeach President Trump in December 2019; articles later sent to Senate (Senate acquitted).
Helped secure $2 trillion pandemic relief package (CARES)
In March 2020 Pelosi helped pass legislation providing roughly $2 trillion in relief to respond to COVID-19 economic and health crisis.
American Rescue Plan Act & infrastructure-related legislation
Contributed to passage of major Biden administration bills including the American Rescue Plan (2021), bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (2021) and CHIPS and Science Act (2022).
U.S. Capitol attacked during electoral certification
On Jan 6, 2021 supporters of President Trump stormed the Capitol; Pelosi's office was breached during the riot.
House impeaches President Trump a second time
Pelosi led the House in impeaching Trump for 'incitement of insurrection' following Jan 6; Senate later acquitted.
House passage of CHIPS and Science Act (2022) and Infrastructure bill (2021)
Key negotiator and architect of House passage of legislation to boost semiconductor manufacturing (CHIPS) and large bipartisan infrastructure investment.
Helped pass Inflation Reduction Act (2022)
Led House passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, containing major climate and drug-cost provisions.
Historic visit to Taiwan
Visited Taiwan on Aug 2–3, 2022 — the highest-ranking U.S. official to visit in ~25 years; visit increased U.S.-China tensions.
Attack on Paul Pelosi at their San Francisco home
An intruder assaulted Paul Pelosi with a hammer in an incident linked to Nancy Pelosi politically; suspect later convicted in 2023.
Announced stepping down as House Democratic leader
After Democrats narrowly lost House majority in 2022 midterms, Pelosi announced she would not seek a House leadership role but would remain in Congress.
Succeeded by Hakeem Jeffries as House Democratic Leader
Hakeem Jeffries elected to succeed Pelosi as leader of the House Democratic Caucus; Pelosi continued as Representative.
Published 'The Art of Power: My Story as America’s First Woman Speaker'
Released memoir reflecting on career and leadership as the first female Speaker.
Continued service as Representative (Speaker Emerita)
Maintains her seat representing California's 11th Congressional District and holds Speaker Emerita status while remaining active in Democratic politics.
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden (the nation's highest civilian honor).
Key Achievement Ages
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