When did Dick Cheney die? What to know about cause of death ahead of funeral

Former Vice President Dick Cheney died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease on Monday Nov. 3.

Cheney’s family confirmed his cause of death in a statement on Nov. 4. He was 84. The vice president’s funeral is taking place on Thursday, Nov. 20 at the Washington National Cathedral. The service will begin at 11 a.m. and will be livestreamed on USA TODAY’s YouTube channel.

Cheney served as vice president under George W. Bush from 2001 and 2009. Considered to be one of the most controversial vice presidents, Cheney pushed to invade Iraq in 2003.

History of health struggles

During his time in politics, Cheney dealt with a history of heart problems.

The former vice president suffered his first of five heart attacks during a congressional campaign at 37. He suffered two additional heart attacks as a congressional member. A fourth heart attack happened after the presidential election in 2000, and the fifth in February 2010 after he left office.

After the fifth heart attack, he was outfitted with a device to help pump blood and compensate for increasing heart congestion. He underwent a quadruple bypass surgery in 1988 and a heart transplant in March 2012.

The Associated Press reported that Cheney once revealed that he had the wireless function of his defibrillator turned off due to concerns that terrorists might attempt to send his heart a fatal shock remotely.

The vice president co-authored a book with cardiologist Jonathan Reiner titled Heart: An American Medical Odyssey about his health struggles.

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected]