Former US vice president Dick Cheney has died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family has said.
In a statement, his family said the 84-year-old was surrounded by his wife Lynne, daughters Liz and Mary, and other family members.
The Republican was one of the most polarising vice presidents in US history under George W Bush from 2001 to 2009, and was a leading advocate of the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Then prime minister Tony Blair meets Dick Cheney in 2002. Pic Reuters
In later life, he became a target of Donald Trump, especially after his daughter, Liz Cheney, became the leading Republican critic and examiner of Mr Trump’s actions surrounding the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol.
Dick Cheney looks on as his daughter Liz Cheney takes the oath of office in 2017. Pic: AP
“In our nation’s 246-year history, there has never been an individual who was a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump,” Mr Cheney said in a TV advert for his daughter.
“He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He is a coward.”
Queen Elizabeth and Dick Cheney tour the Jamestown Settlement in Williamsburg, Virginia, in 2007. Pic: Reuters
Dick Cheney stands with former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and his wife Lynne at a ceremony in memory of the victims of the September 11 attacks in 2006. Pic: Reuters
Last year he said he was voting for Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, to be president against Mr Trump.
Mr Cheney survived five heart attacks and declared in 2013 he woke up each morning “with a smile on my face, thankful for the gift of another day”.
George W Bush and Dick Cheney. Pic: Reuters
He was previously a congressman for Wyoming and served as secretary of defence under Mr Bush’s father, George HW Bush, directing the US military operation to expel an Iraqi occupation army from Kuwait in the first Gulf War.
Pic: Reuters
His family’s statement said: “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.”
This story originally appeared on Skynews
