Former US Vice President Dick Cheney has finally had a heart transplant on Saturday after waiting more than 20 months on the transplant list, his office said.

Dick Cheney, 71, is now recovering in hospital

The major surgery had been carried out on Saturday at the Inova Fairfax Hospital in Virginia.

Dick Cheney has had heart problems for much of his adult life, suffering five heart attacks since the age of 37.

He served as former President George W. Bush’s deputy from 2001 to 2009.

Dick Cheney was a lightning rod for criticism during George W. Bush’s presidency, accused by opponents of often advocating a belligerent U.S. stance in world affairs during wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Former US Vice President Dick Cheney has finally had a heart transplant on Saturday after waiting more than 20 months on the transplant list

“Although the former vice-president and his family do not know the identity of the donor, they will be forever grateful for this lifesaving gift,” Dick Cheney’s aide, Kara Ahern, said in a statement.

Kara Ahern also revealed that Dick Cheney had been waiting for a transplant for more than 20 months.

She provided no further details.