Dick Cheney, 84, the Republican statesman who served as the 46th Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009, has died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family said.
- Fast Facts:
- Age: 84. Cause: complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.
- Served as Vice President under President George W. Bush (2001–2009).
- Long history of cardiovascular illness; five heart attacks and a 2012 heart transplant.
- Known for key roles in post‑9/11 national security policy and the 2003 Iraq invasion.
Born Richard Bruce Cheney on Jan. 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Cheney rose quickly through Washington ranks — serving as White House Chief of Staff, U.S. Representative, Secretary of Defense and ultimately Vice President. His family praised him as “a great and good man” who taught his children and grandchildren to love country and live with “courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing.” He is survived by his wife, Lynne, daughters Liz and Mary, and grandchildren.
The Legacy
Cheney leaves behind a complex and consequential legacy. Top career highlights include:
- Vice President of the United States (2001–2009) — central partner to President George W. Bush during the post‑9/11 era.
- Chief architect of expanded national security, surveillance and counterterrorism policies after Sept. 11, 2001, and a leading force behind the 2003 Iraq invasion.
- Senior defense and White House roles earlier in his career: White House Chief of Staff, U.S. Representative from Wyoming and Secretary of Defense — a rare trajectory of influence across multiple administrations.
Social Proof: Reactions and Tributes
Within hours of the announcement, tributes poured in from leaders across the political spectrum. Former President George W. Bush called Cheney “among the finest public servants of his generation,” praising his integrity, judgment and devotion to American security. Flags at the White House were lowered to half‑staff.
Republican leaders, while acknowledging political differences with Cheney over time, emphasized his dedication to service and the military. House Speaker Mike Johnson urged honoring Cheney’s sacrifices. Senators, governors and representatives offered condolences, recalling his leadership after 9/11 and personal kindness to colleagues. International leaders, including Israel’s President Isaac Herzog, also expressed sorrow and highlighted Cheney’s support for allied security.
Cheney’s later public disputes with other Republican figures — including sharp criticism of former President Donald Trump and a high‑profile endorsement of then‑Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024 — were part of his final public chapter and reinforced the polarized responses to his life and work.
As the nation reflects on a career that shaped U.S. foreign and domestic policy for decades, tributes have mixed praise for his public service with sober acknowledgment of the controversies that marked his tenure. Funeral and memorial arrangements were being handled privately by the family at the time of this report.
For now, Americans and world leaders alike are weighing the impact of a formidable and divisive figure who leaves an indelible mark on modern American governance and national security.
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