Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has passed away at the age of 84, his family announced. Cheney, who served as the nation’s 46th vice president from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush, was a key figure in shaping American foreign policy during one of its most turbulent eras.
A central advocate for the 2003 invasion of Iraq following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Cheney’s influence on national security and defense defined much of the Bush administration’s legacy. Despite his long career in public service, his role in the Iraq War and his ties to the Halliburton Company sparked controversy that followed him for years.
Born in Nebraska and raised in Casper, Wyoming, Cheney attended Yale University before completing his degree at the University of Wyoming in 1965. He began his political career as an aide to Wisconsin Gov. Warren Knowles and later worked under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, eventually becoming Ford’s chief of staff in 1975.
In 1978, Cheney was elected as Wyoming’s lone representative in Congress, where he served six terms. Known for his staunchly conservative views, he opposed abortion rights, supported gun ownership, and resisted environmental regulations.
Cheney later served as Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, overseeing major U.S. military actions including the Panama invasion and the Persian Gulf War. After leaving public office, he joined the private sector as chairman and CEO of Halliburton, an oil and gas corporation.
When George W. Bush launched his presidential campaign, Cheney was chosen as his running mate, going on to serve two terms as vice president. His tenure was marked by his strong stance on counterterrorism and foreign intervention, as well as later criticism over unverified intelligence regarding weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.
Cheney endured years of health struggles, including multiple heart attacks, and underwent a heart transplant in 2012. Even after leaving office, he remained politically outspoken, frequently criticizing former President Donald Trump.
In 2024, Cheney revealed that he and his daughter, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, voted for Democrat Kamala Harris, stating that Trump was “the greatest threat to our republic.”
He is survived by his wife Lynne, his daughters Liz and Mary, and seven grandchildren.
