WASHINGTON, D.C. — Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has reportedly died at the age of 84, according to Punchbowl News and other media outlets including the New York Post and The Sun. Cheney, who served as Vice President under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, passed away late Monday evening, November 3, 2025.
According to initial reports, Cheney died surrounded by his wife, Lynne Cheney, and their daughters, Liz and Mary Cheney. Early statements cited complications from pneumonia and longstanding heart and vascular disease as the cause of death.
A formal statement from the Cheney family has not yet been publicly released, but several close sources have confirmed the former vice president’s passing. Tributes from political leaders across the spectrum began to surface online shortly after the news broke.
Cheney’s career spanned more than four decades of American politics, where he became one of the most influential—and controversial—figures in modern U.S. history. As Vice President during George W. Bush’s administration, Cheney played a decisive role in shaping national security policy following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
He was widely seen as one of the strongest advocates for the Iraq War and a major architect of the U.S. “War on Terror.” His policies on surveillance, interrogation, and executive power reshaped the political debate over the balance between national security and civil liberties for years to come.
Before his vice presidency, Cheney served as Secretary of Defense under President George H. W. Bush, overseeing U.S. military operations during the Gulf War in 1991. Earlier in his career, he represented Wyoming in the House of Representatives for six terms and held senior positions in the Nixon and Ford administrations.
Born on January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Cheney earned degrees from Yale and the University of Wyoming before beginning his public service career. His long tenure in Washington earned him a reputation as a skilled strategist, though his aggressive approach often divided opinion both inside and outside the Republican Party.
Cheney’s health had been a public concern for decades. He survived multiple heart attacks dating back to his 30s and underwent a heart transplant in 2012, which extended his life considerably. Despite his declining health, Cheney remained active in politics and public affairs, often commenting on foreign policy and the state of the Republican Party.
His daughter, Liz Cheney, followed in his political footsteps, serving as Wyoming’s representative in Congress and rising to national prominence as a vocal critic of former President Trump after the 2020 election.
While tributes from former colleagues and military officials are pouring in, reactions online reflect Cheney’s complex legacy — hailed by supporters as a “patriot and statesman” and condemned by critics for his role in controversial foreign wars.
Flags are expected to be lowered to half-staff at federal buildings following confirmation from the White House. Funeral arrangements are likely to be announced in the coming days, with a state ceremony anticipated in Washington, D.C.
As one of the most consequential figures of the post–Cold War era, Cheney leaves behind a record that continues to define America’s global posture and political divisions two decades later.
