The United States (US) former vice president and an advocate for the Iraq war, Dick Cheney, has died at the age of 84. Cheney passed away on Monday night due to complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular diseases, as confirmed in a statement from his family on Tuesday.
Cheney’s family described him as “a remarkable man who instilled in his children and grandchildren a love for our country and a commitment to live lives filled with courage, honor, love, kindness, and a passion for fly fishing.” They expressed immense gratitude for all that Cheney accomplished for the nation and said they felt “fortunate to have loved and been loved by this extraordinary man.”
Before he become a vice president under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, Cheney was known for his influential career including serving as White House Chief of Staff, Congressman from Wyoming, and Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush during the Persian Gulf War. His tenure as vice president was marked by robust efforts to expand presidential authority, particularly in the realm of national security.
A central figure in the post-9/11 administration, Cheney was a driving force behind the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, vigorously advocating for the removal of Saddam Hussein based on intelligence that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction—a claim that was later discredited. His approach to terrorism and national security also included firm support for controversial interrogation techniques like waterboarding and enhanced detention methods, which critics have labeled as torture.
Therefore, Cheney’s health challenges were well documented—he battled heart disease for decades, enduring five heart attacks and undergoing a heart transplant in 2012. Despite these issues, he remained a vocal defender of the Bush administration’s policies and a significant figure in conservative politics.
Former President George W. Bush and other political figures have reflected on Cheney’s impact and legacy, acknowledging both his substantial influence on U.S. policy and the divisive nature of his tenure.
Cheney died surrounded by family, including his wife Lynne and their daughters, in a testament to the private side of a public figure known for his steely resolve and political acumen.
