Nancy Pelosi: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

Nov. 13, 2026

News •

Robin Williams, Metallica, Nancy Pelosi named to California Hall of Fame • Nov. 12, 2026, 6:09 PM ET (San Francisco Chronicle)

Nancy Pelosi Explains Why She Missed Pete Hegseth Impeachment Vote • Nov. 11, 2026, 5:51 AM ET (Newsweek)

Full List of Democrats Who Missed Hegseth Impeachment Vote • Nov. 10, 2026, 10:41 PM ET (Newsweek)

Pelosi weighs in on push to expel Haley Stevens from Democratic Caucus • Nov. 10, 2026, 3:40 PM ET (The Detroit News)

San Francisco voters elect state Sen. Scott Wiener to succeed Nancy Pelosi in Congress, CBS News projects • Nov. 6, 2026, 12:04 PM ET (CBS)

American politician Nancy Pelosi made history when she became the first female speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2007–11; 2019– ). She first joined the House in 1987 after narrowly winning a special election for the seat that had become vacant upon U.S. Rep. Sala Burton's death. Pelosi was reelected in 1988 to a full term, and she easily won subsequent elections in the Californian district. Pelosi was elected speaker of the House on January 4, 2007.

Facts

Also Known As	Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro • Nancy Patricia D’Alesandro
Born	March 26, 1940 (age 86) • Baltimore • Maryland
Title / Office	Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2019-2023), United States • Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives (2007-2011), United States • House of Representatives (1987-), United States
Political Affiliation	Democratic Party
Awards And Honors	Presidential Medal of Freedom (2024) • John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award (2019) • National Women's Hall of Fame (inducted 2013)
Notable Family Members	daughter of Thomas D'Alesandro, Jr. • daughter of Annunciata ("Nancy") D'Alesandro • married to Paul Pelosi (1963–present) • mother of Nancy Corinne Prowda • mother of Christine Pelosi • mother of Jacqueline Pelosi • mother of Paul Pelosi, Jr. • mother of Alexandra Pelosi • sister of Thomas D'Alesandro III • sister of Franklin D. Roosevelt D'Alesandro • sister of Nicholas D'Alesandro • sister of Hector D'Alesandro • sister of Joseph T. D'Alesandro
Role In	Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Education	Trinity College (B.A., 1962) • Institute of Notre Dame (Baltimore, Maryland)
Published Works	"Know Your Power: A Message to America's Daughters" (2008; with Amy Hill Hearth)
Twitter Handle	@SpeakerPelosi
Instagram Username	speakerpelosi

Did You Know?

When Pelosi took office as minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2003, she became the first woman to lead a party in Congress; four years later, she took office as the first female speaker of the House.
Pelosi was the first person in more than 60 years to be reelected to the position of speaker of the House for nonconsecutive terms.