Nancy Pelosi to retire from Congress: ‘Thank you, San Francisco, loved serving as your voice’ — video

Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat, announced on Thursday that she will not be seeking re-election to Congress in 2026. Pelosi is the first woman to serve as the powerful Speaker of the US House of Representatives.

“I will not be seeking re-election to Congress. With a grateful heart, I look forward to my final year of service,” Pelosi said in a video posted on X.

Pelosi's announcement comes just two days after voters in California approved ‘Proposition 50’, which is designed to help Democrats flip as many as five congressional House seats in the midterm elections next year.

'Loved serving as your voice'

“There has been no greater honor for me than to stand on the House floor and say, I speak for the people of San Francisco. I have truly loved serving as your voice in Congress. That is why I want you, my fellow San Franciscans, to be the first to know I will not be seeking re election to Congress,” said the 85-year-old congresswoman in a video posted on social media.

“With a grateful heart I look forward to my final year of service as your proud representative,” Pelosi said.

"As we go forward, my message to the city I love is this: San Francisco, know your power.”

'San Francisco is the greatest city on earth'

“We have made history, we have made progress. We have always led the way, and now we must continue to do so by remaining full participants in our democracy and fighting for the American ideals we hold dear. In doing so, we ensure that our city continues to shine as a beacon of hope, justice and peace for the country and for generations to come. After all, San Francisco is the greatest city on earth, with the most extraordinary people on earth, and the place I will also believe is heaven on earth,” Pelosi said in a video message.

In December 2024, Pelosi had also suffered an injury on a trip to Luxembourg to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge.

Nancy Pelosi's career

— Nancy Pelosi graduated from Trinity College in Washington, D.C.

— She was first elected in 1987.

— Pelosi has represented San Francisco in Congress for 37 years.

— She served as the 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives.

— In 2007, she made history when she was elected the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House.

— In 2013, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Seneca Falls

— In January 2019, she regained her position second-in-line to the presidency – the first person to do so in more than six decades.

— She led House Democrats and served as House Democratic Whip.

— She also played a key role in passing Democratic President Joe Biden's sweeping $1 trillion infrastructure bill in 2022

— In 2024, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour, by President Biden.

What is Nancy Pelosi's age?

The California Democrat is 85-year-old

Who is Nancy Pelosi's husband?

Paul Pelosi, a native of San Francisco and a real estate and venture capital investor, is Pelosi's husband.

How many children does Nancy Pelosi have?

Nancy Pelosi has five grown children and ten grandchildren.