Dick Cheney, the Powerful and Polarizing Former Vice President Under George W. Bush, Dies at 84 After a Long Life in Public Service, His Family Confirms

Former Vice President Dick Cheney Dies Peacefully at 84, Surrounded by Family

Washington, D.C. — November 4, 2025 — Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has died at the age of 84, his family announced Tuesday. In a brief statement, the Cheney family said the longtime public servant and former vice president passed away peacefully while surrounded by his loved ones.

“Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Richard Bruce Cheney, passed away peacefully today, surrounded by family,” the statement read. “He lived a life of service to his country and devotion to his family, and we are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and condolences.”

Cheney, who served as Vice President under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, was one of the most influential — and at times polarizing — figures in modern American politics. Known for his firm stance on national security and his powerful influence within the Bush administration, Cheney played a central role in shaping U.S. foreign and defense policy during and after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Born on January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Cheney’s political career spanned more than four decades. He served as White House Chief of Staff under President Gerald Ford, Wyoming’s at-large congressman, and Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, where he oversaw Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Cheney’s tenure as vice president was marked by major global challenges and controversial decisions, including the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. His advocacy for expanded executive power and aggressive counterterrorism measures drew both sharp criticism and steadfast praise. Supporters saw him as a steadfast defender of national security; critics viewed him as emblematic of government overreach and secrecy.