WASHINGTON — Former vice president Dick Cheney, who served as a key leader during the war on terror in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, has died. He was 84.
Cheney died on Monday night from complications caused by pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, according to a statement from his family.
Cheney was known as a powerful conservative figure in Washington after serving as the No. 2 to former President George W. Bush, despite later being isolated from his party due to his criticism of President Donald Trump.
“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,” wrote his family, who was with him when he died. “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.”
Cheney served in numerous political positions throughout his life, including as the representative of Wyoming’s only House seat — during which he served in numerous leadership positions — as well as the White House chief of staff and defense secretary under Gerald Ford. He was then tapped by Bush to be vice president from 2001 to 2009.
Bush praised Cheney as a “decent, honorable man” who served as one of the “finest public servants of his generation.”
“A patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position,” he wrote in a statement.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Cheney was a “mentor” and “friend.”
“I will remember his toughness but also his sense of humor,” she said. “He was indefatigable in his determination to defend this country and patriotic to his core.”
Although he left office in 2009, Cheney remained a well-known member of his party — especially after he became an intense critic of Trump.
Cheney’s daughter Liz Cheney, a Wyoming congresswoman, lost her reelection bid in 2022 after becoming a target of Trump over her involvement in the investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riots.
Dick Cheney is survived by his wife Lynn Cheney and his daughters Liz and Mary.