Jenna Bush Hager has shared heartfelt condolences to the daughters of former Vice President Dick Cheney, Liz and Mary, following their father’s passing at the age of 84. The Cheney family released a statement indicating that Dick Cheney died due to complications stemming from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.
During an episode of the Today Show, Hager, who is the daughter of former President George W. Bush, reflected on Cheney’s legacy and the personal loss faced by his family. She emphasized the importance of remembering the human side of political figures, stating, “When you hear of a politician who passes, there’s tons of coverage about what they are like as a politician, but as a daughter of a politician, I just am thinking of his daughters and who they are missing which is not necessarily a man who casts votes, but rather a man who raised them.”
Serving as Vice President from 2001 to 2009 under Hager’s father, Cheney held a high-profile role in American politics, previously functioning as Secretary of Defense during the Persian Gulf War. Hager expressed her intention to reach out to the Cheney sisters, conveying support from her own family. She acknowledged the challenges that come with public mourning and emphasized the need to remember the personal lives of public figures, stating, “I think public grieving can be very difficult because there’s a lot about who the person is as a public figure, but very little about who they are as a dad, as a granddad, as a husband.”
Throughout his career, Cheney was a polarizing figure, with actions that drew both support and criticism, such as his role in advocating for the Iraq War and being involved in a hunting incident that received significant media coverage. Despite political controversies, in recent years Cheney had become a critic of former President Donald Trump, calling him a significant threat to democracy.
The Cheney family expressed their profound grief in their statement, honoring Dick Cheney as “a great and good man who taught his children and grandchildren to love our country,” while reminiscing about the values he instilled in them, including courage, honor, and kindness.
This outpouring of love and support during a time of mourning highlights the universal acknowledgment of loss and the connections that transcend political affiliations. It serves as a reminder of the human aspects behind public personas, encouraging all to reflect on the relationships that matter most.
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