Obama Serenades Nancy Pelosi on Her 79th Birthday: ‘She Knows to Fight for Her Principles’

4428 March 28, 2019 | by Junie Sihlangu

On Monday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a reception at the Kalorama home of Esther Coopersmith. In attendance was former President Barack Obama.

The former president paid tribute to Pelosi by singing “Happy Birthday” to her ahead of her special day on Tuesday.

Former President Barack Obama was one of the people who attended a meet-and-greet with freshman Democratic lawmakers. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hosted the event at House of Esther Coopersmith.

Obama started off the evening by serenading Pelosi with a hearty “Happy Birthday” rendition. Those present followed suit in singing for the speaker who was officially celebrating her birthday the following day.

Pelosi turned 79 on Tuesday and she received flowers from the former president for her birthday. Obama also paid tribute to her by giving a touching speech.

He said:

“And the reason I love Nancy is because she combines a deep belief in making this country more just and more fair and better for our kids, with a toughness that is frankly unmet. She knows to fight for her principles, but she also knows the importance of just getting stuff done.”

Pelosi will become the oldest person in history to hold the role of house speaker. She would be almost 81-years-old when her term ends.

Pelosi would be a year older than former Speaker Sam Rayburn, D-Texas. Rayburn passed away in office less than two months before he turned 80.

During Obama's first two years as president, he and Pelosi had worked together closely on enacting the Affordable Care Act. They were also responsible for the Dodd-Frank financial services overhaul law and other policies.

Pelosi was born in Baltimore, Maryland to Thomas and Annunciata D'Alesandro. She married Paul F. Pelosi in 1963 and they have five children: Nancy, Christine, Jacqueline, Paul, and Alexandra Pelosi.