According to US media, which cited a family statement, former US Vice President Dick Cheney passed away on Tuesday at the age of 84.
Between 2001 until 2009, Cheney served as the 46th vice president for two terms under Republican President George W. Bush.
The family’s statement, which was quoted by US media, stated that the former congressman and defense secretary “died due to complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.”
“Dick Cheney served our country for decades, serving as Vice President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, Congressman from Wyoming, and White House Chief of Staff,” it said.
Cheney, a Machiavellian personality with significant influence behind the scenes, is regarded as one of the most influential vice presidents in US history.
Cheney was born on January 30, 1941, in Lincoln, Nebraska, and spent the majority of his childhood in the sparsely populated western state of Wyoming.
He attended Yale University but left the esteemed East Coast institution, eventually graduating from the University of Wyoming back home with a degree in political science.
Compared to most of his predecessors in the position, Cheney carried his neo-conservative philosophy to the White House and had a bigger say in important policy decisions.
