Nancy Pelosi, the first woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives and one of the most consequential figures in modern American politics, announced Thursday that she will retire from Congress at the end of her term in January 2027, according to BBC News.
In a video message, the 85-year-old California Democrat said she will not seek re-election, bringing to a close a political career spanning nearly four decades. “We have made history, we have made progress,” Pelosi said. “As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power.”
Elected to Congress in 1987, Pelosi rose rapidly through the Democratic ranks. She first claimed the Speaker’s gavel in 2007, becoming the highest-ranking woman in U.S. history at the time. Over the years, she became both a master strategist for her party and a polarizing figure among Republicans.
Pelosi helped steer landmark legislation through Congress, including Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act and Joe Biden’s sweeping infrastructure, climate, and social spending packages. She also led two impeachments of Donald Trump first in 2019 over his dealings with Ukraine, and again in 2021 after the January 6 Capitol attack.
Known for her discipline and sharp political instincts, Pelosi often proved pivotal in balancing the Democratic Party’s progressive and centrist factions. Her tenure was marked by both legislative triumphs and fierce partisan battles, making her a symbol of the political intensity of the 21st century.
After stepping down as House Democratic leader in 2022, Pelosi remained a key power broker in California politics, recently playing a role in passing a state redistricting measure to boost Democratic prospects in the 2026 midterms.
With her retirement, Congress will bid farewell to one of its most enduring and influential architects of American policy and power.
