Richard Bruce Cheney, who served as Vice President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush, has died at the age of 84.

His family confirmed that he passed away on Monday, November 3, 2025, due to complications from pneumonia and cardiovascular disease.

He was surrounded by his wife Lynne, to whom he was married for 61 years, and their daughters Liz and Mary.

Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1941 and raised in Wyoming, Cheney’s political career spanned more than four decades.

He served as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, U.S. Representative from Wyoming, and Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, where he directed Operation Desert Storm during the 1991 Gulf War.

As Vice President, Cheney was widely regarded as one of the most powerful figures ever to hold the office.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he became a central architect of U.S. foreign and defense policy, helping shape the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq and the expansion of counterterrorism powers within the executive branch.

His influence, however, came with controversy.

Cheney’s support for the Iraq War, based on claims of weapons of mass destruction, drew heavy criticism when those claims proved unfounded.

He also defended harsh interrogation tactics and domestic surveillance programs, positions that fueled long-standing debates over the balance between security and civil liberties.

In later years, Cheney became estranged from the Republican Party’s populist direction, frequently criticizing President Donald Trump and labeling him “the greatest threat” to the American republic.

In the 2024 election, he notably voted for Democrat Kamala Harris.

His daughter, Liz Cheney, also faced political fallout for opposing Trump and serving on the congressional committee investigating the January 6 Capitol events.

Despite a history of severe heart disease—including five heart attacks and a 2012 transplant—Cheney remained politically active until his final years.

He continued to write, speak, and advocate for strong national defense and American leadership abroad.

Tributes have poured in from political figures across the spectrum.

President George W. Bush called him “a steady hand during uncertain times,” while world leaders recognized his role in shaping early 21st-century geopolitics.

Cheney’s legacy, marked by power, conviction, and controversy, leaves an enduring imprint on American political history.

He is survived by his wife Lynne, daughters Liz and Mary, and several grandchildren.