Former vice president and Minnesota senator Walter Mondale died Monday evening in Minneapolis of natural causes. He was 93.
Mondale was credited with transforming the office of the vice president, and with being the first presidential candidate to choose a woman as running mate.
Mondale served Minnesota as attorney general and U.S. senator. Mondale combined liberal Democratic beliefs with pragmatic policy-making, but saw his national aspirations curtailed as the country turned toward Republicans promising smaller government.
He followed the trail blazed by his political mentor, Hubert H. Humphrey, to the vice presidency, serving under President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981.
Vice presidential historian Tim Walch said Mondale redefined the nation's No. 2 office.
"I think the relationship between President Carter and Vice President Mondale was as solid as any president-vice presidential relationship that I'm aware of in history,” Walch said. “Both had the right spirit of collaboration, and both had mutual respect for one another's skills."
A 2019 photo of former Vice President Walter Mondale. Christine T. Nguyen | MPR News
The Mondale family released the following statement:
It is with profound sadness that we share news that our beloved dad passed away today in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
As proud as we were of him leading the presidential ticket for Democrats in 1984, we know that our father’s public policy legacy is so much more than that. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 was one of his proudest – and hardest fought – achievements. In the course of his years in the U.S. Senate, he understood the sense of reckoning that this country then faced, and was committed to that work alongside Hubert Humphrey, Josie Johnson, Roy Wilkins and so many others. We are grateful that he had the opportunity to see the emergence of another generation of civil rights reckoning in the past months.
It is also poignant that his other area of major policy focus was the environment, as the world’s grappling with climate change enters a new generation of critical work. Passage of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act was another hard-fought accomplishment in his long career.
He was honored to serve as Minnesota’s Attorney General, as United States Senator from Minnesota, as U.S. Ambassador to Japan; his greatest honor and privilege, of course, was serving as Vice President of the United States under President Jimmy Carter.
Beyond his commitment to public service, our dad was committed to our family, and we will miss him more than words can capture. He was preceded in death by our sister, Eleanor, and our mother. He is survived by sons Ted and William; grandchildren Louis, Amanda, Berit and Charlotte Mondale, and Cassandra and Danielle Miller; daughter-in-law Rebecca Mondale and son-in-law Chan Poling.
We also want to express our deep gratitude to all the people who worked on his staff in each public office and who maintained active connections with him in the years since.
Finally, deep appreciation to Lynda Pedersen, his long-standing executive assistant at the Dorsey Law firm and to Patti Schwartz, his primary homecare provider since the passing of our mother, Joan, in 2014.
Plans for memorials will be announced later for both Minnesota and Washington D.C.
Mondale made news again earlier this year when video resurfaced of his appearance in January 1981, when as vice president he presided over the U.S. Senate's formal certification of the results of the 1980 election. That was the election in which Mondale was the running mate to the defeated incumbent president, Jimmy Carter. After announcing his overwhelming Electoral College defeat, 489-49, Mondale burst into laughter as the Senate applauded, and pronounced: "A landslide." [Watch]
Second Lady Joan Mondale, Vice President Walter Mondale, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and President Jimmy Carter in informal pose on Jan. 20, 1977, in the White House Blue Room. Associated Press
Here are some of the immediate reactions to Mondale's death. MPR will continue to round up other statements as they come in over the next day.
Former President Jimmy Carter: Today I mourn the passing of my dear friend Walter Mondale, who I consider the best vice president in our country's history. During our administration, Fritz used his political skill and personal integrity to transform the vice presidency into a dynamic, policy-driving force that had never been seen before and still exists today. He was an invaluable partner and an able servant of the people of Minnesota, the United States, and the world. Fritz Mondale provided us all with a model for public service and private behavior. Rosalynn and I join all Americans in giving thanks for his exemplary life, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family.
Former President Bill Clinton: Walter Mondale believed in the power of government to make a positive difference in people’s lives, and proved it at every stage of his remarkable career—with deep policy knowledge, a tireless work ethic, and uncommon decency. Hillary and I loved him and will miss him very much.
Vice President Kamala Harris: Vice President Mondale was so generous with his wit and wisdom over the years. I was able to speak with him just a few days ago and thank him for his service and his steadfastness. I will miss him dearly, and my heart is with his family today. I hope they find comfort in knowing that he is with his beloved wife, Joan, and daughter, Eleanor, now — and that his legacy will life on in all of us.
Gov. Tim Walz: Today, Minnesota and the nation mourn the loss of a beloved public servant. Gwen and I mourn the loss of a dear friend and mentor. Walter Mondale believed in and worked to create a nation with a heart, a soul, and a conscience.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar: Walter Mondale taught me that leadership isn’t all about giving soaring speeches and punchy sound bites – but actually getting things done for people. He always saw his responsibility as an elected leader as bigger than the immediate challenge at any given moment. His broader mission was helping to prepare a new generation of leaders for the next big decision that needed to be made. In addition to mentoring so many, Mondale was a tireless public servant for the people of Minnesota and our country. He had true pride in our state – and we saw that pride in everything he did. He handled his work with grace and purpose. He was an advocate and courageous leader on civil rights, and he was a pioneering thinker on family policy and child development. In the early 1970s, he held hearings on child poverty and wrote child development legislation that was far ahead of its time.
Sen. Tina Smith: I loved Walter Mondale and I’m not the only one... He provided his strong, compassionate, clear, and fearless voice to the world for over six decades, and he never stopped. Whether it was working with Marian Wright Edelman to lift children out of poverty, fighting to repair the damage of housing discrimination with the Fair Housing Act, or persistently pushing us to protect precious places like the St. Croix River and our beloved Boundary Waters, he charted an unwavering path. He was also a true friend, full of lively questions, incisive and hysterically funny commentary, advice offered with his unique dry wit, birthdays remembered and lunches shared, preferably with onion rings. He deeply loved all his family with the best gift a father can give, unconditional love, expressed with classic Mondale understatement: ‘Keep up the good work.’ I am bereft and so grateful to have known him. May his memory be a blessing and a reminder to do good work and love life.
Rep. Angie Craig: Vice President Mondale was one of Minnesota’s proudest sons. But more importantly, he was a champion for equality and a genuinely kind soul. I’m so glad I was able to get to know him over the past few years. May he rest in peace.
Rep. Dean Phillips: America and Minnesota have lost one of our finest statesmen from the greatest generation, and I’ve lost an extraordinary mentor. A man of principle, empathy, decency, and strength whose legacy should be a beacon to all of us during these difficult days.
Rep. Betty McCollum: Walter Mondale was a global statesman, a national political leader, a remarkable legislator, and a man of tremendous moral authority. Walter and Joan were a fantastic couple who always represented Minnesota and our country with grace, class, and dignity.
Rep. Ilhan Omar: Walter Mondale was a giant in Minnesota politics, an advocate for peace, fair housing, women’s rights and consumer protection for the better part of five decades in politics. He was a champion of civil rights—spearheading the Fair Housing Act of 1968 and helping to pass the Voting Rights Act and two Civil Rights Acts. Even in his twilight years, he remained a vocal advocate for progressive values and a voice of moral clarity. As we await the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial, I am reminded of Vice President Mondale’s words last summer: “The battle for civil rights is a journey, not an end point. Each generation is tasked with the hard work of serving in the great fight for justice. Our neighbors who took to the streets over the past few weeks have joined a great cause. I thank them.
Rep. Tom Emmer: Walter Mondale was a fixture in Minnesota politics — but more importantly, he was a kind and decent man. Praying for his children and grandchildren during their grief. I hope the thought of him reunited with Joan and Eleanor bring his family and loved ones comfort.
Former Sen. Al Franken: The Frankens are so sad tonight. And so grateful to have known Fritz Mondale — a truly great man in every sense. He helped me when no one thought I could win and stood by me long after others walked away. He was a true friend.
Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan: Walter Mondale was an inspiration and mentor to generations of people in Minnesota and across this country who went on to serve the public in any number of ways. His death in this week of trauma for Minnesota calls us to our better angels and reminds us that, for all our humanly faults, we must never stop trying to do better by people.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon: I met Walter Mondale when I was 17. I told him I was interested in public service, and asked if he had any advice. He smiled. “Don’t worry about sleep,” he said. “You can sleep when you’re dead.” Sleep well, Mr. Vice President. You’ve earned it. You made America better.
DFL Party Chair Ken Martin: Today, Minnesota has lost our North Star. Former Vice President Walter Mondale was a moral, courageous, and principled leader whose tireless work to improve the lives of his fellow Americans and people across the globe has left an indelible mark on history. Fritz was also a friend and a mentor to myself and so many others, and I am deeply saddened by news of his passing.
Minnesota Republican Party: We are saddened to hear of the passing of Walter Mondale. In spite of our obvious political differences, there is no denying Mondale was a man of character who had the best interests of his fellow Minnesotans in mind when governing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Sen. Lindsey Graham: Very sad to hear of the passing of former Vice President Walter Mondale. He served his country with great distinction and was passionate about his causes. A true public servant who will be missed. My prayers are with his family and friends.
Former Minnesota senators, vice presidents and presidential nominees Walter Mondale (left) and Hubert Humphrey. Photo courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.
