Dick Cheney, the formidable and often divisive political figure who served as Vice President under George W. Bush, has died at age 84. His family announced his passing on Tuesday, saying he succumbed to complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.
Cheney passed away on the night of November 3, 2025, at home, surrounded by family.
A Political Life of Influence and Controversy
Richard “Dick” Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 30, 1941, and raised in Wyoming. He embarked on a long career in Washington, occupying key roles including White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, U.S. Representative from Wyoming, and Secretary of Defense under President George H. W. Bush.
In 2000, George W. Bush selected Cheney as his running mate. As Vice President from 2001 to 2009, Cheney was seen by many as one of the most powerful vice presidents in U.S. history, wielding significant influence over foreign policy, national security, and the expansion of executive authority.
He was a chief architect of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, strongly advocating that Saddam Hussein posed a threat due to alleged weapons of mass destruction—claims which were later discredited as no such stockpiles were found.
Cheney also supported controversial interrogation techniques (including waterboarding) and broader surveillance powers in the War on Terror, policies that drew fierce criticism from civil liberties advocates.
Health Struggles and Later Years
Cheney’s health was a persistent challenge. He survived multiple heart attacks over his lifetime, and in 2012, he underwent a heart transplant.
After leaving office, Cheney remained active in conservative circles and public debate. In later years, he diverged from party orthodoxy by publicly opposing former President Donald Trump and endorsing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
His daughter Liz Cheney, a former U.S. Representative from Wyoming, became a notable voice in Republican politics, especially when she criticized and opposed Trump’s influence in the party.
Reactions and Legacy
The reaction to Cheney’s death has been deeply mixed, reflecting his polarizing role in American politics.
- George W. Bush, his former president and ally, praised Cheney as a “calm and steady presence” and predicted history would remember him as “among the finest public servants of his generation.”
- Republican leaders from Cheney’s home state of Wyoming and elsewhere issued condolences, recalling his decades of public service.
- Critics, however, condemned his policies—particularly the Iraq war, interrogation practices, and expansion of executive power. Some labeled him a war criminal, holding him personally accountable for the deaths and displacement resulting from U.S. foreign interventions.
- A number of Democrats also offered sympathy to his family, particularly to his children.
His passing spotlights the enduring debate over his legacy: a powerful steward of national security on one side, and a controversial figure responsible for contentious policies on the other.
