DICK CHENEY, POWERFUL VICE PRESIDENT UNDER GEORGE W. BUSH, DIES AT 84

Dick Cheney, who was widely regarded as the most powerful vice president in American history, has died. He was 84. Cheney, who served as George W. Bush’s running mate in two successful presidential campaigns, was a highly influential White House adviser during an era defined by terrorism, war, and economic change. He passed away on Monday.

According to a statement released by his family, the cause of death was complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. Cheney’s health had been a long-standing concern; plagued by coronary problems for nearly all his adult life, he suffered five heart attacks between 1978 and 2010. He had worn a device to regulate his heartbeat since 2001. Despite these significant health challenges, they did not appear to impair his performance while in office.

In 2012, three years after retiring from public life, Cheney underwent a successful heart transplant and had remained reasonably active in the years following the procedure.