Dick Cheney, former United States Vice President and one of the most powerful and controversial figures in recent American political history, has died at the age of 84.
According to reports by the BBC and other reputable media outlets, Cheney passed away on Monday night from complications of pneumonia as well as cardiac and vascular disease. His family confirmed his death in a statement issued on Tuesday.
“Richard B. Cheney, the 46th Vice President of the United States, died last night, November 3, 2025. He was 84 years old,” the statement read.
“His beloved wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and other family members were with him as he passed,” it added. The family described him as “a great and good man” who inspired those around him to live with “courage, honour, love, kindness, and fly fishing.”
Born in 1941 in Lincoln, Nebraska, Cheney’s political journey began in the 1970s, serving as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford before winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives from Wyoming, where he served for a decade.
He later became Secretary of Defence under President George H.W. Bush, directing U.S. military operations during the 1991 Gulf War and earning praise for his strategic leadership.
Cheney’s most prominent role came as Vice President under George W. Bush between 2001 and 2009. Widely regarded as one of the most influential vice presidents in U.S. history, he played a central role in shaping Washington’s post-9/11 security and foreign policy.
He was a leading voice behind the “war on terror,” which included the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the expansion of counterterrorism operations worldwide — decisions that defined America’s foreign policy for decades.
Though celebrated by supporters for his firm stance on national security, Cheney was also criticised for policies seen as fuelling global instability and for his strong backing of controversial interrogation practices.
In his later years, Cheney distanced himself from his party’s direction under President Donald Trump, emerging as one of the Republican Party’s most outspoken internal critics. In 2024, months before the U.S. presidential election, he endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, warning that Trump posed a “threat to the Republic.”
Cheney leaves behind a complex legacy - admired for his intellect and resolve, yet polarising for the wars and policies he helped shape. He is survived by his wife, Lynne, and their two daughters, Liz and Mary.
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