Former Vice President Dick Cheney passed away early Tuesday morning at the age of 84, his family confirmed in a statement.
Cheney, who served two terms as vice president during the George W. Bush administration, died from complications related to pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, according to his family.
His wife of 61 years, Lynne Cheney, was at his side when he passed, along with his daughters, Liz and Mary and other family members.
The family released a statement honoring the former vice president’s life and legacy.
“Dick Cheney was 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,” the statement read.
The Cheney family expressed their gratitude for his service to the nation.
“We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country,” the family said.
They also reflected on their personal relationship with him, adding, “And we are blessed beyond measure to have loved and been loved by this noble giant of a man.”
Before becoming vice president, Cheney served as a Wyoming lawmaker, representing the state in Congress.
He also held the position of Secretary of Defense prior to his vice presidency under Bush.
Cheney’s tenure as vice president spanned eight years, from 2001 to 2009, during a tumultuous period in American history that included the Sept. 11 attacks and subsequent military conflicts.
He was widely regarded as one of the most influential vice presidents in modern American history, playing a significant role in shaping national security and foreign policy decisions.
Cheney was considered by many to be one of the principal architects of the Iraq War, which began in 2003.
He was seen as instrumental in convincing President Bush to authorize the invasion of Iraq, a decision that would define much of the Bush administration’s foreign policy legacy.
The Iraq War became one of the most controversial military engagements in recent American history, sparking intense debate about its justification and execution.
The New York Post reported that Cheney’s role in advocating for the war made him a polarizing figure in American politics, with supporters praising his commitment to national security and critics questioning the intelligence and rationale used to justify the invasion.
Throughout his decades-long career in public service, Cheney remained a prominent voice in Republican politics and conservative policy circles.
