, Nov. 5 -- Dick Cheney, one of the most influential and divisive figures in American politics and a chief architect of the Iraq invasion, has died at the age of 84.

Cheney passed away on Monday from complications related to pneumonia and long-standing heart and vascular disease, his family confirmed Tuesday.

A dominant force in Republican politics for decades, Cheney first rose to prominence as defense secretary under President George H.W. Bush, directing U.S. forces during the 1991 Persian Gulf War. He later returned to Washington as vice president under George W. Bush, where he became the administration's most powerful behind-the-scenes strategist.

Often described as the de facto chief operating officer of the Bush White House, Chen...