Long before she broke congressional glass ceilings or wielded the speaker's gavel, Nancy D'Alesandro married Paul Pelosi in a ceremony that quietly united two politically conscious families. Their wedding on September 7, 1963, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, Maryland, preceded decades of shifting American political landscapes. While modern internet rumors sometimes confuse her historic nuptials with high-profile modern events she later attended or officiated, the true story of the Pelosi wedding remains a cornerstone of a partnership spanning over six decades.
Understanding how Nancy and Paul met, the details of their 1963 ceremony, and how they built a family before entering the national spotlight reveals a remarkably grounded foundation behind one of Washington's most influential figures.
How Nancy and Paul Met at Georgetown
The story of the Pelosi marriage began in the summer of 1962 at Georgetown University. Nancy D'Alesandro was then a student at Trinity Washington University, while Paul Pelosi was studying at Georgetown. Both enrolled in a summer course titled "The History of Africa, South of the Sahara" through Georgetown's School of Foreign Service.
At the time, Nancy came from an established Baltimore political dynasty. Her father, Thomas D'Alesandro Jr., served as a U.S. Congressman and the mayor of Baltimore, and her brother later served as mayor as well. Paul hailed from a San Francisco business family. Their campus meeting quickly blossomed into a romance bridging the East Coast political scene with future West Coast ventures.
The 1963 Wedding Ceremony in Baltimore
By the following year, the couple prepared to marry. On September 7, 1963, Nancy D'Alesandro and Paul Pelosi exchanged vows at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, a massive and striking landmark church in Baltimore.
The wedding reflected their shared Catholic upbringing and deep roots in Maryland. Far from the televised, multi-million-dollar spectacles associated with modern political dynasties, the 1963 ceremony was a traditional mid-century Catholic nuptial mass attended by family, close friends, and local political figures connected to the D'Alesandro family. Photographs from the era capture a classic early-1960s aesthetic, with traditional bridal attire and a reception celebrating the union of two prominent young adults on the cusp of major professional shifts.
Relocating to San Francisco and Building a Family
Shortly after walking down the aisle, the newlywed couple moved briefly to New York City before settling permanently in San Francisco in 1969. Over a rapid six-year span, they welcomed five children: Nancy Corinne, Christine, Jacqueline, Paul Jr., and Alexandra.
During these decades, Paul pursued a successful career in banking, real estate, and venture capital, while Nancy focused on raising their children and organizing grassroots local politics from their home. She served as a volunteer, fund-raiser, and eventual chair of the California Democratic Party, laying the groundwork for her own campaign.
It wasn't until 1987—after their youngest child left for college—that Nancy ran in a special election and won a seat in the House of Representatives, transforming their dynamic into a bi-coastal political partnership.
Separating Fact From Fiction: Internet Confusion
Online searches regarding the "Nancy Pelosi wedding" frequently run into modern mix-ups. Gossip blogs and social media platforms occasionally blur the lines between historical searches and modern events involving the Pelosi name.
For instance, widespread media attention focused on Nancy Pelosi when she officiated the opulent wedding of Getty heiress Ivy Getty in San Francisco. Because headlines conflated her presence as an officiant with her own personal timeline, readers often search for historical details under confusing keywords. The 1963 wedding in Baltimore remains the only marriage ceremony defining Nancy and Paul's shared life.
The Secret to a Six-Decade Marriage
Maintaining a marriage through decades of intense public scrutiny, high-stakes legislation, and frequent cross-country travel requires deliberate strategy. Nancy Pelosi has frequently pointed out that long-term partnership is a conscious choice.
According to interviews given over the years, the couple relies on clear boundaries and mutual support:
- Intentional Priority: Recognizing when professional duties must yield to personal milestones, such as taking rare days off to celebrate major anniversaries.
- Independent Spheres: Paul intentionally chose to stay out of the legislative limelight, noting that sharing the political stage offered no strategic advantage for her career.
- Shared Values: Rooted in their early days in Baltimore and San Francisco, a shared commitment to family and public service anchored them through turbulent political climates.
You can read more about her biographical milestones through Congressional records via House.gov and historical overviews on Wikipedia's Nancy Pelosi entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Nancy and Paul Pelosi get married?
They married on September 7, 1963, at the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen in Baltimore, Maryland.
Where did Nancy and Paul meet?
They met in 1962 while taking a summer history class together at Georgetown University. Nancy was attending Trinity Washington University at the time, and Paul was an undergraduate at Georgetown.
How many children do Nancy and Paul Pelosi have?
They have five children: Nancy Corinne, Christine, Jacqueline, Paul Jr., and Alexandra, all born within a six-year period.
Did Nancy Pelosi get remarried recently?
No. Rumors or confusion regarding a recent wedding usually stem from media reports where Nancy Pelosi officiated the wedding of Ivy Getty in San Francisco, rather than any event concerning her own marital status.
