Former Vice President Dick Cheney, a central figure in the George W. Bush administration and architect of the Iraq War, died on Monday at the age of 84. His passing was announced by his family, who cited complications from pneumonia and long-standing heart issues, with the news widely reported by reliable outlets within the last 24 hours.
Cheney died surrounded by his wife Lynne and family, with former President George W. Bush expressing deep sorrow in a statement, describing him as a “calm and steady presence” during national challenges. The announcement highlighted his role as one of the most powerful vice presidents in American history, shaping policies that defined an era of U.S. politics and foreign affairs.
Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1941, Cheney’s early life was marked by academic struggles, including flunking out of Yale University, and personal challenges such as drunken-driving convictions. He later turned his life around, earning degrees from the University of Wyoming and the University of Wisconsin, marrying his high school sweetheart, and starting a family before entering politics.
His political career began in 1969 as a congressional intern, and he quickly rose through the ranks, serving as White House chief of staff under President Gerald Ford at age 34. During this time, he developed a strong belief in executive power, arguing that congressional reforms had weakened the presidency, a philosophy that would influence his later actions.
After a decade in the U.S. House of Representatives, Cheney became secretary of defense under President George H.W. Bush, overseeing Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Initially, he opposed invading Iraq to topple Saddam Hussein, warning it could become a “quagmire,” a stance that contrasted with his later advocacy for the Iraq War as vice president.
In 2000, he was selected as running mate by George W. Bush and redefined the vice presidency, becoming a dominant adviser and key architect of the “war on terror.” Following the 9/11 attacks, Cheney advocated for preemptive action, leading the push for the Iraq War based on claims of weapons of mass destruction and famously predicting U.S. troops would be “greeted as liberators.”
The prolonged Iraq War eroded public support, and Cheney faced numerous controversies, including the conviction of his chief of staff Scooter Libby in the Valerie Plame leak case and a 2006 hunting accident where he accidentally shot a friend. These incidents, along with his secretive nature, made him a polarizing figure, often criticized by Democrats and late-night comedians.
In his post-vice presidency years, Cheney emerged as a vocal critic of the Obama administration, accusing it of underestimating security threats, and later broke with the Republican Party to condemn Donald Trump, endorsing Democrat Kamala Harris in 2024. His daughter Liz Cheney’s political career was impacted by these shifts, reflecting the evolving dynamics within the GOP.
Cheney’s legacy is deeply complex: he is remembered as a steadfast defender of presidential authority and national security by supporters, while critics view him as a key figure in divisive wars and expanded executive power. His death marks the end of an influential career that left a lasting imprint on American politics and foreign policy debates.