Nancy Pelosi to Retire from Congress After Next Term

By: WE staff | Friday, 7 November 2025

• Nancy Pelosi has stated that she will not seek a new term
• She was the first female Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
• Pelosi, who recently turned 85, has enjoyed a lengthy political career and is regarded as a rather tough leader

Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and one of the most influential figures in American politics, announced recently that she will retire from Congress at the end of her current term in January 2027.

“I have a full heart as I look forward to my last year as your proud representative to Congress in this term that ends January 2027,” the 85-year-old Democrat said in a video message to her constituents in San Francisco.

Nancy has represented her San Francisco district for 38 years, serving her 19th term in Congress. Over a long career, she became the first woman to lead a major political party in Congress, serving for eight years as Speaker - second in line to the presidency after the vice president.

With her disciplined leadership and strategic approach, Nancy has played a key role in passing landmark legislation during the presidency of Barack Obama, from the Affordable Care Act to major infrastructure and economic packages during the administration of Joe Biden.

She also made headlines during the presidency of Donald Trump, leading both of his impeachment processes.

The daughter of Italian immigrant parents born in Baltimore, Pelosi was raised in a politically active family. Her father, Thomas D'Alesandro, was both mayor and congressman.

She attended her first Democratic National Convention as a child and later became deeply involved in Democratic politics in San Francisco while raising five children, eventually being elected to Congress at age 47.

Aides attribute Nancy's success as arguably one of the most effective Speakers in U.S. history to her dogged persistence, strategic vision, and unity within her party.

But she has also been deeply polarizing; demonized by political foes, targeted in moments of pitched political fury - including the 2022 attack on her husband and threats during the Capitol riot in January 2021.

During her tenure, Nancy has supported major legislative initiatives, including landmark economic recovery measures after the financial crisis in 2008 and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As she reflected on her service, Pelosi said, "No matter what title they have conferred upon me — Speaker, Leader, Whip — there has been no greater honor for me than to stand on the floor of the House and say, I speak for the people of San Francisco."