Washington, DC [US], November 4 (ANI): Former US Vice President Richard Bruce Cheney, widely regarded as one of America’s most powerful modern vice presidents and often described as the chief architect of the Iraq War, passed away at the age of 84 due to medical complications, CNN reported, citing a statement from his family.
“His beloved wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and other family members were with him as he passed,” the family said, adding that he died from complications related to pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.
“Dick Cheney was a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, and to live lives of courage, honour, love, kindness, and fly fishing,” the family statement added.
Cheney, who served as the 46th Vice President of the United States under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, was a key figure in shaping US foreign policy during the early 21st century, particularly in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks and the ensuing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Born on January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, Cheney began his political career during the Nixon and Ford administrations. He was chosen by Donald Rumsfeld as his deputy White House chief of staff under President Gerald Ford and succeeded him in the role in 1975.
After Democratic President Jimmy Carter took office, Cheney transitioned to electoral politics, winning Wyoming’s sole seat in the US House of Representatives in 1978. He served six terms and rose to become House Minority Whip.
In 1989, President George H.W. Bush appointed Cheney as Secretary of Defense, describing him as a “trusted friend and adviser.” In that role, Cheney oversaw major military operations, including the US invasion of Panama in 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in 1991, which successfully expelled Iraqi forces from Kuwait.
Following his tenure at the Pentagon, Cheney briefly considered a presidential run during the 1996 election cycle but ultimately declined. During President Bill Clinton’s administration, Cheney entered the private sector as Chief Executive Officer of the Dallas-based energy firm Halliburton Co.
Cheney is survived by his wife, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary Cheney, and seven grandchildren.
“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,” his family said in their statement, as reported by CNN. (ANI)
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