Dick (short for Richard) B. Cheney was born on January 30, 1941 in Lincoln, Nebraska and grew up in Casper, Wyoming. He earned his bachelor's and master's of arts degrees from the University of Wyoming. His career in public service began in 1969 when he joined President Richard Nixon's administration, serving in a number of different positions.

After graduating from college, Cheney worked in various political positions. In 1975, former President Gerald Ford appointed Cheney, then just 34 years old, to the job of Chief of Staff. In 1978, Cheney was elected to the House of Representatives, where he remained until 1989 when former President George H. W. Bush asked him to be Secretary of Defense-a position he held for four years.

Before he became George W. Bush's vice president in 2000, Cheney served as chairman of an energy services company in Dallas, Texas.

Cheney married his high school sweetheart, Lynne V. Cheney, in 1965. The Cheneys have two daughters, Liz and Mary.