Dick Cheney, influential Republican vice president to George W. Bush, dies

Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, a dominant figure in American politics and one of the chief architects of the nation’s post-9/11 “war on terror,” has died at the age of 84, according to a statement from his family.

Cheney passed away due to complications from pneumonia and cardiovascular disease, surrounded by his wife Lynne, and daughters Liz and Mary, the family confirmed.

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“Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love this country and live with courage, honor, love, and kindness,” the statement read. “We are deeply grateful for his service to America and blessed to have been loved by this remarkable man.”

A Powerful and Polarizing Figure

Serving as the 46th Vice President under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, Cheney was regarded as one of the most powerful and controversial vice presidents in U.S. history. Bush called him a “decent, honorable man” and praised him as “one of the finest public servants of his generation.”

Cheney’s influence extended far beyond traditional vice-presidential duties. Following the September 11, 2001 attacks, he played a major role in shaping America’s national security strategy, which included the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

His advocacy for the Iraq War — based on flawed intelligence about weapons of mass destruction — defined much of his legacy. Though later investigations proved the intelligence was inaccurate, Cheney remained steadfast in his belief that the decision was justified.

“I would do it again in a minute,” he once said, defending his actions as necessary to protect the United States.

A Life of Service and Controversy

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1941, Cheney was raised in Wyoming, where he later met his future wife, Lynne. After a rocky start at Yale and a couple of arrests for driving under the influence, Cheney turned his life around, earning degrees from the University of Wyoming and entering politics.

He served as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, Defense Secretary under President George H.W. Bush, and later became CEO of Halliburton, a major energy company, before joining the Bush-Cheney ticket in 2000.

Cheney’s time as defense secretary earned him praise for his leadership during Operation Desert Storm, which liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation in 1991. However, his tenure as vice president was marked by secrecy, hardline policies, and his strong belief in expanding executive power.

He defended the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, such as waterboarding, and the detention of terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay, actions that drew widespread condemnation.

Health Struggles and a Second Chance

Cheney faced a lifetime of heart problems, suffering multiple heart attacks beginning at age 37. In 2012, he underwent a successful heart transplant, which he described as “the gift of life itself.” Despite his health challenges, he continued to live actively for more than a decade afterward.

Later Years and Feud with Trump

In his final years, Cheney grew increasingly critical of Donald Trump, calling him a “coward” and “the greatest threat to the republic” in U.S. history. His daughter, Liz Cheney, became one of Trump’s fiercest Republican critics, a stance that cost her politically but earned her praise from moderates.

In a striking political turn, Cheney endorsed Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, citing his duty to “put country above partisanship.”

Legacy

Cheney leaves behind his wife Lynne, daughters Liz and Mary, and seven grandchildren.

Though his legacy remains deeply divisive — celebrated by some as a patriot who defended America in its darkest hour and condemned by others as a symbol of government overreach — Dick Cheney’s impact on U.S. politics, national security, and the presidency itself is undeniable.

He will be remembered as one of the most influential, controversial, and consequential figures in modern American history.