Nancy Pelosi undergoes surgery after ‘hard fall’ in Luxembourg

Washington: Former Democrat House speaker Nancy Pelosi has had hip replacement surgery at a US military base in Germany after a fall that led to her being taken to hospital in Luxembourg, her office confirmed.

The hip surgery was done at Landstuhl Army Base, which is in Germany, an aide familiar with the situation confirmed.

Nancy Pelosi, seen here at the Capitol in Washington, has undergone hip surgery.Credit: AP

“Earlier this morning, Speaker Emerita Pelosi underwent a successful hip replacement and is well on the mend,” Ian Krager, a spokesperson for Pelosi, said in a statement on Saturday. “Speaker Pelosi is grateful to US military staff at Landstuhl Regional Medical Centre at Landstuhl Army Base and medical staff at Hospital Kirchberg in Luxembourg for their excellent care and kindness.”

The surgery took place one day after Pelosi was taken to hospital due to a fall during a congressional visit to Luxembourg marking the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.

On Friday, Pelosi’s office did not describe the details or severity of the injury, but two people familiar with the incident who were not authorised to comment and spoke on the condition of anonymity said she had a “hard fall” descending marble stairs at the Grand Ducal Palace, the official residence of the grand duke of Luxembourg.

Pelosi, 84, was re-elected to her 20th term in the House in November. She is the first woman to serve as speaker, from 2007-2011, and she later reclaimed the job in 2019 before stepping down as Democratic leader in November 2022.

Pelosi’s fall marked the second time in a week that an octogenarian member of Congress suffered an injury.

Senate minority leader Republican Mitch McConnell fell during a closed-door Republican lunch on Tuesday, spraining his wrist and sustaining a minor cut to his face. McConnell, 82, missed votes on Thursday due to leg stiffness, according to his office.

The Washington Post