Dick Cheney, the hard-charging conservative who became one of the most powerful and polarising vice presidents in US history and a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq, has died at age 84.
Cheney died last night due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, according to a statement from his family.
“For decades, Dick Cheney served our nation, including as White House Chief of Staff, Wyoming’s Congressman, Secretary of Defence, and Vice President of the United States,” the statement said.
Then vice president Dick Cheney in 2006.Credit: AP
George W. Bush and Dick Cheney in 2004.Credit: AP
“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.”
The quietly forceful Cheney served father and son presidents, leading the armed forces as defence chief during the Persian Gulf War under president George H.W. Bush before returning to public life as vice president under Bush’s son, George W. Bush.
George W. Bush has led tributes for Cheney but President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance have yet to personally acknowledge the Republican statesman’s passing.
AP
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