Jenna Bush Hager Offers Heartfelt Condolences to Dick Cheney's Daughters
Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of former President George W. Bush, is extending her heartfelt sympathies to Dick Cheney‘s daughters, Mary and Liz, following the passing of the statesman at 84 years old.
The somber announcement arrived on Tuesday, November 4, confirming Cheney’s death due to complications stemming from pneumonia, along with cardiac and vascular disease. Bush Hager, 43, shared her sentiments on Cheney’s demise, acknowledging his pivotal role serving alongside her father, 79, during their time in office.
“Naturally, I believe everyone is waking up today with his family in their thoughts,” Bush Hager conveyed during her appearance on the Today show. “When a political figure passes, there’s extensive coverage focusing on their professional life, but as someone who is both a daughter and granddaughter of a politician, my mind immediately goes to his daughters and the profound personal loss they are experiencing — not just of a man who cast votes, but truly, the man who nurtured them.”
Bush Hager specifically directed a message of comfort towards Cheney’s children.
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“Therefore, my thoughts are with Mary and Liz this morning; I intend to reach out to them personally to convey my love, and I know my parents share these exact sentiments,” she continued. “Navigating public grief can be incredibly challenging, as the discourse often centers on the individual's public persona, with very little focus on who they were as a father, a grandfather, or a husband. For that reason, my heart is with his family.”
Bush Hager further mentioned the strong bond between her husband, Henry Hager, and Mary, noting, “Mary was, and remains, very close with Henry. So, while Henry is currently out of town, I sent him a text this morning, and I’m certain he will connect with her as soon as he wakes.”
Cheney’s family unveiled a statement following his passing on Monday, November 3.
“His cherished wife of 61 years, Lynne, his daughters, Liz and Mary, and other family members were by his side in his final moments,” the statement affirmed. “For numerous decades, Dick Cheney dedicated himself to our nation, fulfilling roles such as White House Chief of Staff, Congressman for Wyoming, Secretary of Defense, and Vice President of the United States.”
His family’s tribute continued: “Dick Cheney was a remarkable and honorable man who instilled in his children and grandchildren a deep love for our country, encouraging them to embrace lives defined by courage, integrity, affection, kindness, and the joy of fly-fishing. We are immeasurably grateful for all of Dick Cheney’s contributions to our nation. And we are profoundly blessed to have loved and been loved by this truly noble giant of a man.”
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Cheney’s medical history included a series of cardiovascular challenges, leading to multiple heart attacks. His first occurred in 1978 at the age of 37, followed by four more over the years, culminating in a heart transplant procedure in 2012 when he was 74.
“Although the former vice president and his family do not know the identity of the donor, they will forever cherish this life-saving gift with immense gratitude,” Cheney’s office conveyed in a 2012 statement.
Cheney later reflected on the transplant journey, sharing his experience on a 2013 episode of 60 Minutes: “When you emerge from receiving that very gift of life itself, there’s an overwhelming wave of emotion, yet it is profoundly positive. I believe my initial words upon regaining consciousness after the anesthetic, when they confirmed its success, were, ‘Hot damn.’ Quite literally.”
He concluded his poignant reflection: “You greet each morning with a smile, because you’ve been granted a new day you never anticipated. And there's an enduring sense of awe. It’s nothing short of magical.”
