Early Life and Education of Nancy Pelosi: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Nancy Pelosi. From birth to education, explore key events.

Nancy Pelosi is a prominent American politician, notably serving as the 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives twice (2007-2011 and 2019-2023). As a Democrat representing California's 11th district since 1987, she made history as the first female Speaker and the first woman to lead a major party in Congress, heading House Democrats for two decades. Her long tenure as a House leader is second only to Sam Rayburn. She remains a significant figure in American politics and the dean of California's congressional delegation.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1912: Pelosi's mother emigrates to the U.S.

In 1912, Nancy Pelosi's mother, Annunciata M. "Nancy" D'Alesandro (née Lombardi), emigrated to the U.S. from Fornelli, Southern Italy.

1915: Killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks

In mid-October 2007, Pelosi pledged to bring a resolution labeling the 1915 killing of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide to a vote, following its passage in the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

March 26, 1940: Nancy Pelosi's Birth

On March 26, 1940, Nancy Patricia Pelosi, née D'Alesandro, was born.

Others born on this day/year

1958: Pelosi Graduates from the Institute of Notre Dame

In 1958, Nancy Pelosi graduated from the Institute of Notre Dame, an all-girls Catholic high school in Baltimore.

1962: Pelosi Graduates from Trinity College

In 1962, Nancy Pelosi graduated from Trinity College, Washington.

September 7, 1963: Nancy D'Alesandro Marries Paul Francis Pelosi

On September 7, 1963, Nancy D'Alesandro married Paul Francis Pelosi in Baltimore at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

1964: Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 referenced

Pelosi supports the Equality Act, a bill that would expand the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

1967: Thomas D'Alesandro III becomes Mayor of Baltimore

In 1967, Nancy Pelosi's brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, a Democrat, was elected Baltimore City Council president and later became mayor, serving until 1971.

1969: Pelosis Move to San Francisco

In 1969, Nancy and Paul Pelosi moved to San Francisco, where Paul's brother, Ronald Pelosi, was a member of the City and County of San Francisco's Board of Supervisors.

1971: End of Thomas D'Alesandro III's mayoral term

In 1971, the term of Nancy Pelosi's brother, Thomas D'Alesandro III, as mayor of Baltimore came to an end.

1996: Pelosi votes against Defense of Marriage Act

In 1996, Pelosi voted against the Defense of Marriage Act.

2000: Alexandra Pelosi Covers Republican Presidential Campaigns

In 2000, Alexandra Pelosi, a journalist and daughter of Nancy and Paul Pelosi, covered the Republican presidential campaigns and made a film, Journeys with George, about the experience.

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2001: Pelosi votes for USA Patriot Act

In 2001, Pelosi voted in favor of the USA Patriot Act.

2004: Pelosi votes against Federal Marriage Amendment

In 2004, Pelosi voted against the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment, which aimed to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

2005: Pelosi votes against reauthorization of Patriot Act provisions

In 2005, Pelosi voted against the reauthorization of certain provisions of the USA Patriot Act.

2006: Pelosi votes against Secure Fence Act

In 2006, Pelosi voted against the Secure Fence Act.

2006: Pelosi votes against Federal Marriage Amendment

In 2006, Pelosi voted against the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment, which aimed to define marriage as between one man and one woman.

2007: Christine Pelosi Publishes "Campaign Boot Camp"

In 2007, Christine Pelosi, daughter of Nancy and Paul Pelosi, published a book, Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders.

Campaign Boot Camp: Basic Training for Future Leaders

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2008: Rebuke by Archbishop Donald Wuerl

In 2008, Nancy Pelosi was rebuked by Archbishop Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., for comments she made concerning Church teaching on abortion and when human life begins.

2008: Pelosi Welcomes overturning of ban on same-sex marriage in California

In 2008, when the Supreme Court of California overturned the state's ban on marriage between same-sex couples, Pelosi released a statement welcoming the "historic decision".

February 2009: Meeting with Archbishop and Pope Benedict XVI

In February 2009, Nancy Pelosi met with Archbishop George Hugh Niederauer of San Francisco and with Pope Benedict XVI regarding the controversy surrounding her statements on abortion.

2009: Pelosi's Net Worth Estimated at $58 Million

In 2009, OpenSecrets estimated Pelosi's net worth at $58 million, making her the 13th-wealthiest member of Congress.

2012: Pelosi's Net Worth Reported at $26.4 Million

Business Insider reported that Pelosi's net worth was $26.4 million in 2012, making her the 13th-richest member of Congress.

2012: Pelosi discusses her Catholic faith and LGBT rights

In 2012, Pelosi stated that her position on LGBT rights, including same-sex marriage, is rooted in her Catholic faith, which compels her to oppose discrimination, though it contradicts Catholic doctrine.

2014: Pelosi supports NSA surveillance program

As of 2014, Nancy Pelosi supported the Bush/Obama NSA surveillance program PRISM.

2014: Pelosi's Net Worth Estimated at $101 Million

In 2014, OpenSecrets reported that Pelosi's net worth had almost doubled to about $101 million, making her the 8th-wealthiest member of Congress.

2016: Pelosi's Financial Disclosure Report

Pelosi's 2016 financial disclosure report lists among her assets a combined home and vineyard in St. Helena, California, two commercial buildings in San Francisco, and a townhouse in Loomis, California.

February 2018: Pelosi Breaks House Speech Record

In February 2018, Pelosi broke the record for the longest House speech, speaking for over eight hours to recount stories from DREAMers. She was objecting to a budget deal that would raise spending caps without addressing the future of DACA recipients, who were at risk of deportation by the Trump administration.

2018: Pelosi's Net Worth Estimated at $16.0 Million

In 2018, Roll Call estimated Pelosi's net worth at $16.0 million, making her the 30th-wealthiest member of Congress.

2019: Pelosi speaks in Congress in favor of Equality Act

In 2019, Pelosi spoke in Congress in favor of the Equality Act and called for ending discrimination against LGBT people. She also opposed Trump's transgender military ban.

January 2021: Pelosi's San Francisco Home Vandalized

In January 2021, Pelosi's San Francisco home was vandalized with graffiti, messages of "[c]ancel rent", fake blood, and a severed pig's head.

June 2021: Pelosi's husband purchases stocks in tech companies

In May and June 2021, Pelosi's husband purchased stocks in tech companies such as Alphabet, Amazon, and Apple, netting a gain of $5.3 million. This occurred even while Speaker Pelosi was working on anti-trust legislation to better regulate the tech industry.

April 7, 2022: Cordileone Communicates Concerns to Pelosi

On April 7, 2022, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone communicated his concerns to Nancy Pelosi, regarding her support for abortion rights, warning her that if she did not publicly repudiate her advocacy or refrain from referring to her Catholic faith in public and receiving Holy Communion, he would have no choice but to declare that she is not to be admitted to Holy Communion.

May 20, 2022: Pelosi Barred from Receiving Holy Communion in San Francisco

On May 20, 2022, Salvatore Cordileone, archbishop of San Francisco, announced that Pelosi would be barred from receiving Holy Communion because of her support of pro-choice abortion policies.

June 29, 2022: Pelosi Receives Communion at Papal Mass

On June 29, 2022, Pelosi received Communion at a Papal Mass presided over by Pope Francis in Rome at St. Peter's Basilica.

October 2022: Paul Pelosi Attacked at Home

In October 2022, while Pelosi was in Washington, D.C., an intruder entered her San Francisco home demanding to know her whereabouts, and attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer. The assailant, David DePape, was convicted on federal and state charges and sentenced to life without parole.

December 2024: Pelosi Hospitalized After Hip Fracture

In December 2024, Pelosi was hospitalized after fracturing her hip while falling down stairs in high heels during an official trip to Luxembourg, where she was part of a bipartisan delegation to observe the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. On December 14, she underwent hip replacement surgery at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, a U.S. military hospital in Germany.