WASHINGTON — Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, who served under President George W. Bush and was one of the most influential figures in American politics during the early 2000s, passed away Monday at the age of 84. According to a statement released by his family, Cheney died due to complications from pneumonia as well as cardiac and vascular disease.
“Richard B. Cheney, the 46th Vice President of the United States, died last night, November 3, 2025. He was 84 years old,” the family said in a statement quoted by The Hill. “His beloved wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and other family members were with him as he passed. The former Vice President died due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.”
Cheney served as Vice President from 2001 to 2009, playing a defining role in shaping the nation’s defense and foreign policy in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Widely regarded as one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history, he was a central architect of the Bush administration’s “war on terror,” including the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 30, 1941, Cheney grew up in Casper, Wyoming. His public service career began in 1969 when he joined the Nixon administration, holding various positions at the Cost of Living Council, the Office of Economic Opportunity, and the White House. When Gerald Ford became president in 1974, Cheney joined the transition team and later became Deputy Assistant to the President. In 1975, he was appointed White House Chief of Staff, a position he held for the remainder of the Ford administration.
Returning to Wyoming in 1977, Cheney launched a successful political career, winning election as the state’s lone representative in Congress. He served six terms and rose through the Republican ranks, becoming Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, then Chairman of the House Republican Conference, and finally House Minority Whip in 1988. He built a reputation as an influential and respected lawmaker known for his knowledge, discipline, and accessibility.
In 1989, Cheney was appointed U.S. Secretary of Defense under President George H. W. Bush. During his tenure, he oversaw major military operations including Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf. For his leadership during the Gulf War, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991.
Though known for his conservative and hawkish views, Cheney broke with much of his party in later years. He was an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump and expressed support for Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, stating, “As citizens, we each have a duty to put country above partisanship to defend our Constitution. That is why I will be casting my vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.”
Cheney is survived by his wife, Lynne; their daughters, Liz and Mary; and their grandchildren. (Source: IANS)
