As the curtain begins to close on Nancy Pelosi’s extraordinary congressional career, the political world is taking stock of her legacy—one marked by historic firsts, legislative prowess, and, surprisingly, praise from across the aisle. Pelosi, who announced in November 2025 that she would not seek re-election and would retire at the end of her term in early 2027, leaves behind not only a storied political record but also a financial portfolio that has become the subject of fascination and controversy.
Pelosi’s tenure as Speaker of the House is already cemented in the annals of American political history. She was the only woman to ever serve in the role, and she held the gavel during two non-consecutive stretches—first from 2007 to 2011, then again from 2019 to 2023. According to The New York Times, her legislative effectiveness has drawn rare and candid admiration from even her staunchest political opponents.
On December 9, 2025, Rep. Nancy Mace, a Republican from South Carolina, published an opinion piece in The New York Times that sent ripples through the political establishment. Mace, who is preparing to leave Congress to run for governor, wrote, “Here’s a hard truth Republicans don’t want to hear: Nancy Pelosi was a more effective House speaker than any Republican this century.” She continued, “I agree with her on essentially nothing. But she understood something we don’t: No majority is permanent. When Democrats hold the majority, they ram through the most progressive policies they can. They deliver for the coalition that elected them while they are in power.”
Mace’s essay was not just a moment of bipartisan acknowledgment; it was a pointed critique of her own party’s leadership style. She lamented that “the current House is restrictive and ineffective,” and argued that “Republican leadership seems intent on replicating her model of consolidation without her bold vision to push through the policies that won us the majority.” Her warning to Republicans was clear: with control of the House, Senate, and White House, failure to deliver on key issues like border security, affordability, healthcare, and law and order could cost them dearly in the 2026 midterm elections. “If we fail to pass legislation that permanently secures the border, addresses the affordability crisis, improves health care and restores law and order, we will lose this majority. And we will deserve it,” she cautioned.
Pelosi’s reputation for effectiveness is echoed by other Republicans as well. During a November 2025 interview with CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, known for her combative style, acknowledged, “I’m very impressed at her ability to get things done. I wish we could get things done for our party like Nancy Pelosi was able to deliver for her party. So, I wish her well in her retirement, but I would like to see people exit Washington a lot sooner rather than wait until their eighties.” Such praise from the opposition is rare, especially in today’s polarized climate.
Yet, Pelosi’s legacy isn’t limited to the halls of Congress. Her family’s financial dealings—especially the stock market portfolio managed by her husband, Paul Pelosi—have drawn scrutiny and, at times, controversy. Since mid-2014, Paul Pelosi’s portfolio has gained approximately 853%, dwarfing the S&P 500 index’s 264% return over the same period. This staggering performance has outpaced even the portfolios of legendary investors like Warren Buffett and Stanley Druckenmiller, raising eyebrows and fueling speculation about the sources of such success.
According to InvestorPlace, Nancy Pelosi’s current portfolio, often referred to as her “farewell portfolio,” is anchored by three giants of the tech world: Nvidia, Alphabet, and Broadcom. These holdings are more than just numbers on a balance sheet; they reflect a series of shrewd and well-timed investments.
Nvidia, now the largest holding in Pelosi’s portfolio at 19%, has been a consistent winner. The company, dominant in the artificial intelligence chip sector, has seen explosive growth. Pelosi’s association with Nvidia goes back to June 17, 2022, when 200 call options were exercised at a strike price of $100 (split-adjusted to $10). She later purchased 50 more call options in November 2023 at a strike price of $120 ($12 split-adjusted) and has continued to accumulate shares since then. As of December 2025, Nvidia’s relentless ascent has justified its status as the portfolio’s crown jewel.
Broadcom has recently overtaken Alphabet as Pelosi’s second-largest holding, constituting about 17% of her portfolio. In June 2024, she purchased 20 Broadcom call options at a strike price of $800 (split-adjusted to $80). The timing couldn’t have been better—Broadcom underwent a stock split the following month, and the stock price has soared more than 145% since that trade. Pelosi exercised her options in July and has held onto the shares, riding the wave of Broadcom’s continued success.
Alphabet, the parent company of Google, rounds out the top three, also making up about 17% of the portfolio. Paul Pelosi purchased call options in Alphabet worth between $500,000 and $1 million on December 17, 2021, and exercised them on September 16, 2022. Since then, Alphabet’s stock has rallied by an impressive 205%. Wall Street is increasingly bullish on Alphabet’s prospects in the AI race, further validating the Pelosis’ long-term bet on the company.
Apple, another tech titan, was once a significant part of the Pelosi portfolio. However, Nancy Pelosi partially sold her Apple holdings in October 2025, and since February, she has reported only two transactions, signaling a period of relative inactivity. As of December 2025, her portfolio has remained calm, perhaps reflecting a deliberate winding down as she approaches retirement.
The Pelosis’ investment activity—especially given Nancy’s access to sensitive information as Speaker—has not been without controversy. Critics have questioned whether her husband’s trades benefited from insider knowledge, though no evidence has proven wrongdoing. In California, all investments fall under the shared marital estate, meaning Nancy and Paul Pelosi’s financial fortunes are deeply intertwined.
Beyond the numbers, the broader story is one of a political operator whose skills in both legislation and personal finance have set her apart. Pelosi’s ability to “get things done,” as both friends and foes admit, is matched by a portfolio that has consistently outperformed the market. As Rep. Nancy Mace put it in her New York Times essay, “Ms. Pelosi was ruthless, but she got things done.”
With her retirement on the horizon, the era of Pelosi’s direct influence in Congress is drawing to a close. Yet, the debates about her legacy—both as a legislative powerhouse and as a lightning rod for criticism over personal wealth—are likely to linger long after she leaves Capitol Hill. For now, her “farewell portfolio” stands as a testament to her unique blend of political and financial acumen, and her impact on American governance remains the subject of admiration, debate, and, above all, respect from all sides of the aisle.
