Mr. Cheney was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, on January 30, 1941 and grew up in Casper, Wyoming. He earned his Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Wyoming. His career in public service began in 1969 when he joined the Nixon Administration, serving in a number of positions at the Cost of Living Council, at the Office of Economic Opportunity, and within the White House.

Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair says goodbye to Vice President Cheney on the steps of 10 Downing Street, March 11, 2002. Cheney stopped in London to confer with Blair before a 10-day visit to the Middle East. (AP/WWP)

Vice President Richard Cheney, second from right, smiles with two young well-wishers: 10-year-old Lu Chi, red shirt, and 11-year-old Shi Hao, left, upon Cheney's arrival at Hong Qiao Airport in China's financial capital of Shanghai, April 14, 2004. At second left is Cheney's wife Lynne. (AP/WWP)

When Gerald Ford assumed the presidency in August 1974, Mr. Cheney served on the transition team and later as deputy assistant to the president. In November 1975, he was named assistant to the president and White House chief of staff, a position he held throughout the remainder of the Ford Administration.

After he returned to his home state of Wyoming in 1977, Mr. Cheney was elected to serve as the state's sole congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives. He was re-elected five times and elected by his colleagues to serve as chairman of the Republican Policy Committee from 1981 to 1987. He was elected chairman of the House Republican Conference in 1987 and elected House minority whip in 1988. During his tenure in the House, Mr. Cheney earned a reputation as a man of knowledge, character, and accessibility.

For his leadership in the first Gulf War as secretary of defense, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George H.W. Bush in 1991.

Mr. Cheney married his high school sweetheart, Lynne Ann Vincent, in 1964, and they have grown daughters, Elizabeth and Mary, and three granddaughters.