Nancy Pelosi has announced her retirement from Congress, ending a decades-long career that saw the California Democrat become one of the most powerful figures in US politics.
In a video message on Thursday, Pelosi said she will not be seeking re-election to Congress at the end of her term in January 2027.
It marks the end of a storied political career: Pelosi, 85, became the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House and led her party in the lower chamber of Congress from 2003 until 2023.
We have made history, we have made progress, Pelosi said in her message.
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, she added.
Pelosi was first elected to Congress to represent San Francisco in 1987 aged 47, and quickly rose through the ranks. She was elected as Speaker of the House in 2007 and served until 2011, returning to the role from 2019 to 2023.
Her political legacy includes the passage of significant legislation during the Obama and Biden administrations, and she was a central figure in the impeachment processes against Trump.
In her retirement announcement, she expressed a desire for the city she represents to recognize their power as active participants in democracy.
Pelosi's journey has left a profound impact on political discourse, and her influence will be felt long after her departure.
