Dick Cheney, former US Vice-President under George W. Bush, has died aged 84 from complications of pneumonia and cardiac/vascular disease
Dick Cheney has died aged 84, his family confirmed in a statement early on Tuesday.
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He served as the 46th Vice-President of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush, and was a formidable figure in shaping post-9/11 U.S. foreign and domestic policy.
According to the family’s statement, Cheney “died due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease”.
He was surrounded by his wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters Liz and Mary, and other family members when he passed.
Born in 1941, Cheney’s political career spanned decades — he was White House Chief of Staff under Gerald Ford, U.S. Secretary of Defence under George H. W. Bush during the Gulf War, and Congressman for Wyoming before ascending to the vice-presidency.
As Vice-President he became known for his strong influence and central role in the “war on terror”, including advocating for the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
In later years, he distinguished himself within the Republican Party by openly criticising Donald Trump, and in 2024 he publicly supported Kamala Harris, bridging partisan divides.
Cheney faced serious health issues throughout his life — multiple heart attacks and a heart transplant in 2012 are part of his medical history.
His legacy is complex: admired by supporters for his unwavering patriotism and criticized by opponents for expanding executive power and initiating controversial wars.
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Historians and commentators will continue to debate his impact on both American politics and global affairs.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
