Dick Cheney, the influential Republican vice president under George W. Bush, has died at the age of 84, his family has announced. He was one of the most powerful vice presidents in modern times, and the chief architect of the “war on terror.”
Cheney, the 46th Vice President of the United States, served alongside President George W. Bush for two terms, from 2001 to 2009.
Per a family statement, Cheney died “due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.” The former vice president was struggling with cardiovascular disease for large parts of his adult life.
He survived several heart attacks and had a heart transplant in 2012. Two years later, he hailed the transplant as “the gift of lite itself.”
Dick Cheney, dead at 84
“His beloved wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and other family members were with him as he passed,” the Cheney statement read. “Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honor, love, kindness, and fly fishing,” his family said.
The statement continued, “We are grateful beyond measure for all Dick Cheney did for our country. And we are blessed beyond measure to have loved and been loved by this noble giant of a man.”
Rest in peace, Dick Cheney.