Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney has passed away at the age of 84, his family confirmed in a statement reported by CNN on Tuesday.
Cheney died from complications related to pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, surrounded by his wife of 61 years, Lynne Cheney, and their daughters, Liz and Mary.
“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,” the family said. “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, who served as the 46th Vice President of the United States under President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2009, played a central role in U.S. foreign and defense policy during a turbulent era marked by the September 11 attacks and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
