Nancy Patricia Pelosi (born March 26, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland) is an American politician and longtime Democratic U.S. Representative from California, serving since 1987. She has represented California's 8th (later 12th and 11th) congressional district, which encompasses much of San Francisco. She comes from a politically influential Italian-American family; her father, Thomas D'Alesandro Jr., served as Mayor of Baltimore, and her brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, also held the same position. Pelosi graduated from Trinity Washington University with a bachelor's degree in political science in 1962. After raising her five children in San Francisco, she entered politics in the 1970s, volunteering for Democratic campaigns and rising through the ranks. She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1987, becoming a key leader in the House Democratic Caucus, serving as chair from 1999 to 2003 before being elected Minority Leader.

Pelosi made history as the first woman and longest-serving female Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, holding the position from January 2007 to January 2011 and again from January 2019 to January 2023, and is now a former Speaker of the House. She also served as House Democratic Leader from 2011 to 2019. During her tenures, she played pivotal roles in major legislation, including the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the American Rescue Plan in 2021, and advancing climate and infrastructure initiatives. Known for her strategic acumen, fundraising prowess, and influence in legislative and foreign policy matters—particularly as an influential leader in Democratic foreign policy—she led House Democrats for two decades, tying for the second-longest tenure as a party leader in House history. Pelosi has been a vocal advocate for women's rights, LGBTQ+ issues, and progressive policies, and has maintained a consistent pro-Israel voting record, with a history of bipartisan engagement on Israel issues. She has faced criticism from conservatives for her leadership style and perceived partisanship.

Pelosi's career has not been without controversy. She has been accused of insider trading due to lucrative stock trades by her husband, Paul Pelosi, a venture capitalist, coinciding with legislative activities, though no wrongdoing has been proven and she has denied any involvement. Critics have also targeted her for ethics violations, such as a 2010 probe into her role in military briefings, and for her handling of intra-party disputes. In November 2022, she announced she would not seek re-election as Democratic leader but would continue serving in Congress; however, in 2024, she stated she would run for another term in her district. She currently holds the position of speaker emerita of the House of Representatives and remains a dean of California's congressional delegation and a symbol of Democratic resilience, with significant influence in foreign policy, including strong support for Ukraine and Taiwan. As a long-serving U.S. Representative from California and former Speaker of the House, she has been a prominent and highly influential figure in Democratic leadership and policy.