Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful and influential vice presidents in U.S. history, has died at the age of 84, his family announced Tuesday. He passed away Monday from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, closing a chapter on a career that profoundly shaped American foreign and domestic policy.
The former vice president served two terms under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, a period defined by the September 11 attacks, the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, and sweeping changes in national-security architecture. He had previously served as U.S. Secretary of Defense in the Gulf War era and held multiple senior positions in government.
Cheney’s legacy is one of both substantial achievement and deep controversy. During his vice presidency, he was a chief architect of the 2003 invasion of Iraq and an advocate for expansive executive power, including the use of warrantless surveillance and so-called “enhanced interrogation” methods.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1941 and raised in Wyoming, Cheney entered public service in the late 1960s. His rise included roles as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, a House member for Wyoming, and later Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush.
Despite severe lifelong health challenges—including multiple heart attacks and a heart transplant in 2012—Cheney remained active in public and political life. In recent years, he broke from parts of his party’s conventional path, notably supporting Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, citing profound concerns about former President Donald Trump’s fitness for office.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum. President Bush described Cheney as a “patriot” and “calm and steady presence in the White House amid great national challenges.” Others offered sharp criticism of his foreign-policy legacy, calling him a war hawk whose decisions contributed to long-lasting regional instability.
Cheney is survived by his wife Lynne, daughters Liz and Mary, and several grandchildren. Details of the funeral or memorial arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
As America marks the passing of one of its most consequential vice presidents, the discussion of Dick Cheney’s place in history is already underway—bravo for his public service, caution for his wartime decisions, and reflection on the enduring consequences of his policies.
