Liz Cheney

Elizabeth Lynne Cheney is an American attorney and former politician who served as the U.S. representative for Wyoming's at-large congressional district from 2017 to 2023. She previously held the position of chair of the House Republican Conference, making her the third woman to lead the conference. A member of the Republican Party, she became widely known for her steadfast opposition to Donald Trump following the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Her career has been defined by a focus on national security policy, legal advocacy, and a willingness to challenge party orthodoxy when she believes constitutional duties are at stake.

Cheney currently works as a professor of practice at the University of Virginia Center for Politics and remains an active voice in national discourse regarding democracy and conservative principles. In 2024, she was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal by President Joe Biden and received a pardon for any potential future prosecution related to her official duties on the January 6 Committee. She also received the Profile in Courage Award from the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2022 for her defense of democracy. As of 2026, she continues to be a prominent critic of the current direction of the Republican Party while advocating for a return to traditional conservative principles.[edit]

Elizabeth Lynne Cheney was born on July 28, 1966, in Madison, Wisconsin, into a family deeply entrenched in American politics. She is the eldest daughter of Dick Cheney, who would later serve as the 46th Vice President of the United States, and Lynne Cheney. Although born in Wisconsin, her upbringing shifted significantly after her father entered the political arena. The family relocated to Casper, Wyoming, where Liz spent much of her childhood and adolescence. This move established the deep connection she maintained with Wyoming throughout her life. She attended the McLean School of Maryland for high school before moving on to higher education.

Cheney attended Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1988. Her academic interests in history laid the groundwork for her future career in law and public service. She then pursued her legal education at Georgetown University Law Center, graduating with a Juris Doctor in 1992. Before entering elected office, Cheney built a formidable reputation in the legal field and government service. Immediately after law school, she secured prestigious clerkships that placed her at the highest levels of the federal judiciary. From 1993 to 1994, she clerked for Judge Stephen Breyer on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Following that, she served as a law clerk for Justice Sandra Day O'Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court during the 1994-1995 term. These early roles provided her with a rigorous foundation in constitutional law and judicial reasoning that would define her approach to governance.

Her entry into the executive branch began under the George H.W. Bush administration, where she worked as a Special Assistant to the Attorney General. During the George W. Bush administration, her responsibilities expanded significantly. She served as Associate Deputy Attorney General from 2001 to 2002 and later as Counselor to the Secretary of State from 2005 to 2006. Notably, she was the first woman to serve as Counselor to the Secretary of State in the modern era. In 2006, President Bush appointed her to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review. These positions allowed her to shape national security policy from within the administration. In 2009, she co-founded Keep America Safe with Bill Kristol, an advocacy group dedicated to strengthening national security and counterterrorism efforts aligned with the policies of the previous administrations. [edit]

Cheney's transition from private sector and government service to elected office occurred in November 2016 when she won the election for Wyoming's at-large congressional seat. She assumed office in January 2017, stepping into a district previously represented by her father from 1979 to 1989. Her rise within the House leadership was rapid; in 2019, she made history by becoming the third woman in U.S. history to be elected chair of the House Republican Conference. She held this powerful position until May 2021.

The trajectory of her career shifted dramatically following the events of January 6, 2021. Unlike many of her colleagues, Cheney publicly supported the second impeachment of Donald Trump. This decision led to her removal as conference chair by her own party in May 2021. Shortly after, she was appointed vice chair of the House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack. Her work on the committee brought her into direct conflict with the MAGA movement and the broader Trump-aligned faction of the Republican Party. The backlash against her stance was severe and immediate. In November 2021, the Wyoming Republican Party revoked her membership. The Republican National Committee censured her in February 2022. Despite her high profile and fundraising success, these actions culminated in her defeat in the 2022 Republican primary. She lost to Harriet Hageman, receiving only 28.9% of the vote, which effectively ended her congressional career.

Following her departure from Congress, Cheney has remained a prominent figure in conservative politics. In 2024, she campaigned for Kamala Harris, marking a significant break from her past affiliations. In recognition of her service on the January 6 committee, President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Citizens Medal in 2024. He also issued a pardon for any potential future prosecution related to her official duties on the committee. As of March 2023, she serves as a professor of practice at the University of Virginia Center for Politics. [edit]

Liz Cheney is portrayed in media as a principled conservative who prioritized constitutional duty over party loyalty. Her signature aesthetic is professional and understated, often featuring business attire suitable for legislative settings. On social media, she maintains a presence on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, where she shares updates on her speaking tour, commentary on current events, and family life. She describes herself as a "constitutional conservative" and a "rodeo mom." Her public image is one of unwavering commitment to democratic norms, even at great personal political cost. [edit]

iFANN has not yet collected fame data for this person. She is not featured on the September 2026 iFAMOUS Rankings flagship list.

Liz Cheney does not have a traditional "fandom" in the pop-culture sense. However, she commands a dedicated base of supporters known as "Cheney supporters" or "Constitutional Conservatives," who admire her stance on democracy and the rule of law. Fan campaigns have included fundraising efforts to support her legal defenses, book purchases, and attendance at her speaking events. Conversely, she has faced intense opposition from the MAGA movement, with critics labeling her a traitor. The divide in public reception is stark, reflecting the polarization of the Republican Party. [edit]

Liz Cheney is a skilled equestrian and actively participates in local rodeos in Wyoming, often competing alongside her children. This passion for riding is a frequent topic in her public appearances and reflects her connection to the state's culture. She was also the first woman to serve as Counselor to the Secretary of State in the modern era, breaking a glass ceiling within the department. Despite being the daughter of a Vice President, she has consistently emphasized her independent political identity, particularly in her later years when she diverged sharply from her father's support of Donald Trump. Her height is generally estimated around 5'6" based on visual comparisons in public appearances, though it is not officially documented in public records.

She delivered a fiery speech on the House floor on January 5, 2021, calling for the impeachment of Donald Trump, stating he was a "threat to our republic." This moment is widely cited as the turning point in her relationship with the GOP establishment. Her testimony before the January 6 committee in 2022, where she presented evidence of Trump's attempts to overturn the election, became a defining moment in modern American political history. [edit]

Liz Cheney is the eldest daughter of Dick Cheney, the 46th Vice President of the United States, and Lynne Cheney, a former Second Lady and author. Raised primarily in Casper, Wyoming, after her father's political career took hold, she developed strong ties to the state's culture. Her passion for equestrianism runs deep in the family; she is a skilled rider who actively participates in local rodeos in Wyoming, often competing alongside her children. This love for riding reflects her connection to the state's heritage and is a frequent topic in her public appearances. Despite being the daughter of a Vice President, she has consistently emphasized her independent political identity, particularly in her later years when she diverged sharply from her father's support of Donald Trump.

Cheney is a Sagittarius by birth sign. Her family life is centered around her husband Philip Perry and their three children: daughters Mary and Cecily, and son Lincoln. The couple resides in Wyoming but frequently travels for her speaking engagements and academic role. There are no public records of prior romantic relationships or marriages preceding Philip Perry. [edit]

Philip Perry, Dick Cheney, Lynne Cheney, Donald Trump, Nancy Pelosi, Bill Kristol, Harriet Hageman. [edit]

Liz Cheney has been married to Philip Perry since 1997. Philip Perry is a lawyer who previously worked as a special assistant to the Attorney General and served as senior counsel to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The couple met while working in the legal field in Washington, D.C. They have three children together: daughters Mary and Cecily, and son Lincoln. There are no public records of prior romantic relationships or marriages preceding Philip Perry. As of 2026, Liz Cheney remains married to Philip Perry. The couple resides in Wyoming but frequently travels for her speaking engagements and academic role. [edit]

Estimates regarding Liz Cheney's net worth vary due to the nature of her income sources, which include legal fees, political salaries, book deals, and speaking engagements. Research by the iFANN Editorial Team puts her fortune at around $7 million, though other sources suggest a range between $3 million and $6 million. This figure aggregates her tenure as a U.S. Representative, where she earned a salary of approximately $174,000 per year, along with her previous legal career earnings and advances from her book Without Precedent.

Post-2022, her income is derived primarily from high-profile speaking engagements, which reportedly command fees of $50,000 or more per event, and royalties from her published works. Her campaign finances showed significant fundraising success in 2022 despite her eventual loss, indicating strong donor support. Real estate holdings include a home in Wyoming, though specific valuation details are not public. No major business ventures or investment portfolios have been publicly detailed beyond standard professional assets. [edit]

Liz Cheney has received several notable honors for her public service and defense of democratic institutions. She was awarded the Profile in Courage Award by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2022 for her opposition to Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. In 2024, President Joe Biden awarded her the Presidential Citizens Medal for her work on the January 6 Committee. She also received a presidential pardon for any potential future prosecution related to her official duties on the committee. [edit]