Who was Walter Mondale? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Walter Frederick Mondale

Died At Age: 93

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Joan Mondale

father: Theodore Sigvaard Mondale

mother: Claribel Hope

siblings: Lester Mondale

children: Eleanor Mondale, Ted Mondale, William H. Mondale

Vice Presidents American Men

Height: 5'11" (180 cm), 5'11" Males

political ideology: Political party - Democratic

Died on: April 19, 2021

place of death: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Ancestry: Norwegian American, Canadian American, British American

Cause of Death: Natural Causes

Ideology: Democrats

U.S. State: Minnesota

More Facts

education: University Of Minnesota

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Childhood & Early Life

Walter Frederick "Fritz" Mondale was born on January 5, 1928, in Ceylon, Minnesota, to Theodore Mondale, a Methodist clergyman, and his wife, Claribel Mondale, a part-time music teacher.

After completing his elementary education from public schools, Mondale attended Macalester College, and then graduated from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelors of Arts degree in political science, in 1951.

While in college, Mondale became involved in politics and managed the activities of Minnesota's emerging Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) Party. In 1948, he helped manage Hubert Humphrey's first successful U.S. Senate campaign.

After completing his graduation, he joined the U.S. Army and served a couple of years at Fort Knox during the Korean War. Afterwards, he was enrolled in the University of Minnesota Law School and graduated with a law degree, in 1956. Subsequently, Mondale was admitted to the Minnesota State Bar and began practicing law in Minneapolis.

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Career

While practicing law between during the next four years, Mondale also worked as the campaign manager for Orville Freeman's successful gubernatorial re-election campaign in 1956 and 1958.

In 1960, following the resignation of Miles Lord, Mondale was appointed to the post of attorney general of Minnesota. Two years later, in 1962, Mondale won the election to the office and served until 1964. Between 1960 and 1964, he also served as a member of the President's Consumer Advisory Council.

After serving as state attorney general for four years, Mondale was asked to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy caused by Hubert Humphrey's election to the vice presidency. In December 1964, Mondale was appointed to the United States Senate.

In 1966, Mondale won the election to the Senate and was re-elected in 1972, serving on seven successive congresses until 1976. During his 12 years as a senator, Mondale served on numerous committees, such as the Finance and Budget committees and the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. He also chaired the Select Committee on Equal Education Opportunity and the Intelligence Committee's Domestic Task Force.

In 1976, Mondale was elected to the post of the Vice President on the Democratic ticket as Jimmy Carter’s running mate. After being inaugurated at the office, Mondale served as both general adviser and emissary for the President. He was the first Vice President to have an office in the White House.

In 1980, the Carter-Mondale duo was defeated for re-election by the Republican pair, Ronald Reagan and George Bush. In 1984, Mondale was successful in capturing the Democratic presidential nomination but was defeated by Ronald Reagan.

Following his defeat, Mondale returned to his native Minnesota in 1987 and resumed practicing law as a partner with the law firm, Dorsey & Whitney. Alongside, he also assisted with Democratic Party politics on the state level.

Over the next few years, Mondale served as on the boards of directors on several non-profit organizations such as the Guthrie Theatre Foundation, Mayo Foundation, National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, RAND Corporation, and University of Minnesota Foundation.

In 1993, President Bill Clinton appointed Mondale the United States Ambassador to Japan, where he served until 1996. Thereafter, he returned to Minnesota and resumed working at the law firm.

Major Works

As a United States Senator, Mondale was a strong supporter of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. He played a key role in securing the adoption of an amended Open Housing Act in 1968 which capped off the legislative civil rights revolution of the decade.

As the Vice President of the United States, Mondale traveled extensively around the world, advocating U.S. policy. During his term, Mondale handled 13 foreign assignments which included delicate missions to Europe, the Middle East, the Far East, and Africa.

Personal Life & Legacy

In December 1955, Walter Mondale married Joan Adams, an artist, whom he had met on a blind date. They had three children; Theodore Adams, Eleanor Jane, and William Hall.

The couple remained together until Joan’s death in 2014 while their daughter Eleanor died of brain cancer in 2011.

Walter Mondale Biography