Dick Cheney — who served as vice president under President George W. Bush and became one of the most controversial figures in modern American politics, as well as the inspiration for the 2018 Oscar-nominated film Vice — has passed away at age 84.
Cheney died Monday due to pneumonia and complications tied to long-standing heart and vascular issues, his family confirmed to the Associated Press.
“For decades, Dick Cheney served the United States in numerous roles — from White House Chief of Staff, to representing Wyoming in Congress, to leading the Pentagon, and eventually serving as Vice President,” the family wrote. “He was a devoted public servant who instilled in his children and grandchildren a deep love for this nation and a commitment to courage, honor, kindness, and, yes, fly-fishing. We are profoundly grateful for his legacy — and blessed to have loved and been loved by such a remarkable man.”
Cheney rose to prominence in the 1970s as chief of staff to President Gerald Ford before becoming a key Republican figure, holding seats in Congress and later serving as Secretary of Defense under George H.W. Bush, where he oversaw U.S. military operations in the Gulf War.
He returned to the White House in 2001 alongside George W. Bush, shaping foreign policy in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and becoming a leading voice behind the Iraq invasion. His tenure also included controversies, most notably the 2006 accidental shooting of friend Harry Whittington during a hunting trip.
Cheney’s career drew frequent parody, particularly on Saturday Night Live, and his life later became the subject of Adam McKay’s film Vice, with Christian Bale earning an Oscar nomination for his portrayal.
A rare break from his conservative allies came in his support for same-sex marriage following his daughter Mary’s wedding in 2012. In recent years, Cheney became an outspoken critic of Donald Trump, calling him “a threat to our republic.”
Cheney leaves behind his wife, Lynne, and their daughters.
