Dick Cheney, the 46th vice president of the United States and a defining figure in Republican national security politics, died on Monday night. He was 84.
Cheney died "due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease," acording to a statement released by his family early Tuesday. He leaves behind his wife Lynne, two daughters, and six grandchildren.
The statement, first published by Punchbowl News founder Jake Sherman, reads in full:
Richard B. Cheney, the 46th Vice President of the United States, died last night, November 3, 2025. He was 84 years old. His beloved wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and other family members were with him as he passed. The former Vice President died due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.
For decades, Dick Cheney served our nation, including as White House Chief of Staff, Wyoming's Congressman, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President of the United States.
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. 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.
Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on Jan. 30, 1941, and raised in Casper, Wyoming. He first entered federal service under former President Richard Nixon in 1969, working in the Office of Economic Opportunity and the White House. He rose up the ranks quickly and by 34, was White House chief of staff under former President Gerald Ford.
He returned to Wyoming and won a seat to Congress in 1978. Later, as Secretary of Defense under former President George H.W. Bush, he directed the U.S. invasion of Panama and the Gulf War. Former President George W. Bush chose him as running mate in 2000 when he became president.
Cheney went on to reshape America's defense posture from the Cold War through the Gulf War, then again after 9/11, admired by some for his work and reviled by others, particularly for his role in post-9/11 domestic surveillance and the Iraq War.