After nearly 40 Years, Pelosi closes a historic chapter in Washington

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi speaks with USA TODAY's Washington Bureau chief Susan Page to discuss Pelosi's historic tenure, her decision to retire, and what’s next as she closes the chapter on Washington.

Nancy Pelosi made history in 2007 as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. She served two terms in that role from 2007 to 2011 and again from 2019 to 2023.

A framed poster that then-Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy gave Nancy Pelosi, showing a photo of her smiling and surrounded by pictures of the 51 male House speakers who preceded her.

As for her legacy, Pelosi calls the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010 her proudest achievement, and the failure to enact gun legislation to curb mass shootings at schools and elsewhere her biggest disappointment.

In the hallway outside Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi's office is a large bronze plaque honoring the law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters stormed the ceremonial counting of Electoral College votes that would affirm Biden's victory over Trump. "Their heroism will never be forgotten," it reads.

At age 85, Pelosi's gait has slowed, but her posture remained ramrod straight during an hour-long conversation with Page. She wore a fire-engine red pantsuit and her signature stiletto heels, back after recovering from a fall and hip replacement surgerya year ago.

During an hour-long interview with Page, Pelosi wore a fire-engine red pantsuit and her signature stiletto heels, back after recovering from a fall and hip replacement surgerya year ago.

As for her plans after Washington? They sound more personal than political, focusing on her husband Paul, who is "doing OK" but still dealing with the trauma from the brutal assault at their San Francisco home by a hammer-wielding assailant, now sentenced to life in prison.

She also wants to be more available to friends who are having "ups and downs."

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi speaks with USA TODAY's Washington Bureau chief Susan Page to discuss Pelosi's historic tenure, her decision to retire, and what’s next as she closes the chapter on Washington.

After four decades shaping U.S. politics, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi reflects on her historic tenure, her decision to retire, and what’s next as she closes the chapter on Washington.

After four decades shaping U.S. politics, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi reflects on her historic tenure, her decision to retire, and what’s next as she closes the chapter on Washington.