Dick Cheney, Former Vice President, Dies at 84

Richard B. Cheney, the 46th Vice President of the United States, passed away on November 3, 2025, from complications related to pneumonia and his continuing cardiovascular issues. He was surrounded by his family when he passed.

Who was Dick Cheney?

He began his ascent in Washington by joining the Nixon administration in 1969. He became the White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, also becoming the youngest to hold the role at that time. Then, he served as Wyoming’s representative in the U.S. House of Representatives for six terms. He eventually became the House Minority Whip. Later, he was the Secretary of Defense under President George H. W. Bush. Cheney supervised Operation Desert Storm and was a part of the swift and decisive military campaign during the Gulf War, which earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1991.

His leadership during his tenure as Secretary of Defense cemented his reputation as a master of defense strategy and executive decision-making. Later, Dick Cheney’s most defining role came as Vice President under George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009. During the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, he became a main figure in shaping U.S. policies, both at home and abroad. Because of his background, he was able to step out of the typical role of the vice president; he stepped up and guided decisions on national security, intelligence operations, and the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Final Thoughts: Former Vice President Dick Cheney

Dick Cheney faced many challenges throughout his career, both professionally and personally. He had multiple heart attacks and even a heart transplant, but despite his health complications, he still remained active in public life and politics. He was married to Lynne Cheney and was a proud father and grandfather. The legacy left by him will show him as a strategist, a policymaker, and a man who dedicated his life to the United States, but also a family man. His passing marks the end of an era.