At the age of 84, former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, who served under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, has passed away. His family confirmed his death, noting that he had been battling complications from pneumonia and longstanding heart and vascular disease.
Cheney’s career in public service was long and influential: he previously served as White House Chief of Staff, Secretary of Defense, and a Congressman from Wyoming. During his time as vice president, he was a central architect of U.S. policy in the post-9/11 era, shaping key decisions regarding national security, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the expansion of executive power.
Those who served with and opposed him alike described him as both formidable and polarizing. His legacy will continue to be debated—especially his role in controversial decisions such as the use of intelligence, surveillance, and the Iraq invasion.
Even in his later years, Cheney remained active in public life, often offering commentary on American politics, foreign policy, and the direction of his party. His health, however, was fragile. He had suffered multiple heart attacks and in 2012 underwent a heart transplant.
He is survived by his wife, Lynne Cheney, and their daughters Liz and Mary, as well as grandchildren. The family’s statement described him as “a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.”
This news marks the end of a profound chapter in modern U.S. politics. While his policies and choices will continue to spark discussion and analysis, Dick Cheney’s passing invites reflection on the era he helped shape—and the lasting impact of his service on America’s national and global identity.