Former US President George W. Bush has led tributes to Dick Cheney, saying his death is 'a loss to the nation and a sorrow to his friends.'
Cheney died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease on Monday night at the age of 84, his family said in a statement.
He became one of the most powerful US vice-presidents in history under Bush, and leaves behind a controversial legacy as a key architect of the 'war on terror', and an early advocate of the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
History will remember him as among the finest public servants of his generation, Bush said in a statement.
Cheney was 'a patriot who brought integrity, high intelligence, and seriousness of purpose to every position he held', Bush added. 'I counted on him for his honest, forthright counsel, and he never failed to give his best. He held to his convictions and prioritized the freedom and security of the American people.'
Condoleezza Rice, who served as Secretary of State alongside Cheney in the Bush administration, said she admired him 'for his integrity and his love of our country'. 'He was an inspiring presence and mentor who taught me a great deal about public service,' she wrote on social media.
Despite being a stalwart figure in the Republican party for many years, Cheney became a bitter critic of it under the leadership of Donald Trump. His comments towards Trump were sharply critical, leading to a significant rift in the party.
In their statement announcing his death, Cheney's family described him as a 'great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country, live lives of courage, honour, love, kindness and fly fishing'.
Cheney's legacy will forever be intertwined with his role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the broader implications of his policies during the 'war on terror'. His political career and the debates surrounding his actions continue to shape U.S. politics today.
