Cheney, who served under Republican President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, died from complications of pneumonia, as well as cardiac and vascular disease, according to a statement released by his family.

According to the statement, “Richard B. Cheney died last night, November 3, 2025. He was 84 years old. His beloved wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters Liz and Mary, and other family members were with him as he passed.”

The family described Cheney as “a great and good man,” remembering him as a devoted father and grandfather who instilled in his loved ones the values of patriotism, courage, honor, kindness, and the joys of fly fishing.

“We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country. And we are blessed beyond measure to have loved and been loved by this noble giant of a man,” they said.

Born in 1941, Cheney’s political career spanned several decades. He began in the 1970s as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, before serving for a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives. He later became Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, overseeing the successful Gulf War operation in 1991.

As Vice President, Cheney played a key role in shaping U.S. policy following the September 11 attacks, becoming one of the foremost advocates for the “war on terror” and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

In his later years, Cheney became a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. Just months before the 2024 election, he made headlines by publicly endorsing Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

Cheney’s death marks the end of an era in American politics. His legacy is complex, defined by both his leadership during pivotal moments in modern history and his staunch, often divisive political views.

Source: Punch