Nancy Pelosi's historic career, in photos
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Speaker Nancy Pelosi invites children to join her at the rostrum after being sworn in as the first woman to lead the House on Jan. 4, 2007. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the first woman Speaker of the House, will retire from Congress in 2027, marking an end to some four decades of boundary-breaking service.
The big picture: The 85-year-old political giant's presence looms large over the Democratic Party, even after she stepped away from congressional leadership in 2022.
- Just as her departure from the House Democrats' top ranks opened the door for a new generation of Democratic leadership, Pelosi's retirement is sure to set off a succession race in San Francisco.
Driving the news: Pelosi thanked San Franciscans for the faith they'd placed in her "and the latitude that you have given me that enabled me to shatter the marble ceiling and be the first woman speaker of the House" in a video announcing her decision.
Flashback: Before her nearly 40 years on Capitol Hill, Pelosi served as the chair of the California Democratic Party before her election to Congress in 1987.
- During her tenure, she held multiple leadership roles, including minority leader and minority whip, before taking on the speaker's gavel in 2007.
- She helped secure the passage of several major bills, including the Affordable Care Act, and oversaw two House votes to impeach President Trump.
- Her career has also been shadowed by political violence. In 2022, Pelosi's husband, Paul, was attacked by a man who was looking for her.
Scroll for a look at Pelosi's career, in photos:
Election night, 1987

Pelosi in the Oval Office, 1993

Pelosi gathers with lawmakers after terrorist attacks, 2001

Pelosi sworn in as House Democratic whip, 2002

Pelosi promoted, 2003

Pelosi greets the Dalai Lama, 2003

Speaker Pelosi, 2007

Obama inaugurated, 2009

ACA signed, 2010

Pelosi addresses DNC, 2016

Pelosi greets Trump, 2017

Pelosi tears Trump's speech, 2020

Pelosi after Jan. 6 riot, 2021

Pelosi visits Taiwan, 2022

Pelosi receives Presidential Medal of Freedom, 2024

Rep. Pelosi embraces Leader Jeffries, 2025

Go deeper: Nancy Pelosi's legacy
