Before his death, former Vice President Dick Cheney was supported throughout his lengthy political career by his wife, Lynne Cheney.
The couple met in high school in Casper, Wyoming, and tied the knot in 1964. They later welcomed two daughters: Liz, born in 1966, and Mary, born in 1969.
While her husband built a career in politics, Lynne became an author and speaker, writing numerous books on history and education. She also served as the chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities from 1986 to 1993.
When the former vice president died in November 2025, Lynne, 84, was by his side.
“Richard B. Cheney, the 46th Vice President of the United States, died last night, November 3, 2025. He was 84 years old. His beloved wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and other family members were with him as he passed,” the the family said in a statement on Tuesday, November 4.
The statement noted that the former White House chief of staff died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease.
Keep scrolling for five things to know about Lynne:
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Where Is Lynne Cheney From?
Lynne was born on August 14, 1941, in Casper, Wyoming, to parents Edna Lolita and Wayne Edward Vincent. After graduating high school in 1959, she attended Colorado College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English literature. She later earned a master of arts degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and a PhD in 19th-century British literature from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
How Long Were Lynne and Dick Cheney Married?
Lynne and her future husband met at Natrona County High School in their hometown of Casper. They tied the knot in 1964, five years after their 1959 graduation. The couple’s marriage lasted until Dick’s death in November 2025 at age 84.
What Does Lynne Cheney Do?
Lynne spent much of her career as an author and public speaker advocating for education reforms. After serving as the sixth chair of the National Endowment for the Humanities from 1986 to 1993, she cofounded the American Council of Trustees and Alumni, a nonprofit organization whose stated mission is to “support liberal arts education, uphold high academic standards, safeguard the free exchange of ideas on campus and ensure that the next generation receives a philosophically rich, high-quality college education at an affordable price.”
Lynne is also a distinguished senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a think tank based in Washington, D.C. She served on Lockheed Corporation’s board of directors from 1994 to 2001 but gave up the position when her husband became vice president.
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What Books Has Lynne Cheney Written?
Lynne has written numerous fiction, nonfiction and children’s books throughout her career, including multiple titles she coauthored with her husband. Her most recent book, The Virginia Dynasty: Four Presidents and the Creation of the American Nation, hit shelves in 2020 and is about the first four American presidents who were from Virginia: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe.
How Many Kids Does Lynne Cheney Have?
Lynne and Dick welcomed two children during their marriage: daughters Liz (born in 1966) and Mary (born in 1969). Liz went on to marry Philip Perry in 1993, and they share five children. Mary, meanwhile, married Heather Poe in 2012, and they share two children.
