walter mondale jimmy carter
Walter Mondale, Former Vice President of the United States, sat on stage with former President Jimmy Carter during a celebration of Mondale's 90th birthday Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018 at the McNamara Alumni Center on the University of Minnesota's campus in Minneapolis.
Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via Getty Images

Walter Mondale, who served as vice president under former President Jimmy Carter, died on Monday at the age of 93.

According to Axios, Mondale contacted Presidents Joe Biden, Bill Clinton, and Jimmy Carter on Sunday to let them know his death was near. Mondale passed away in Minneapolis, according to his family.

Biden long admired Mondale, whose nickname was "Fritz." At an event honoring Mondale in 2015, Biden said, "I took Fritz's roadmap. He actually gave me a memo, classic Fritz, gave me a memo, as to what I should be looking for and what kind of commitments I should get to be able to do the job the way Fritz thought it should be done."

Mondale's political life spanned decades, starting with his career as a lawyer and serving as Minnesota's attorney general, and including a later stint as an ambassador to Japan under President Clinton.

VP Walter Mondale in the kitchen of the Vice President's Residence
U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale lifts his Thanks Giving turkey from the broiler, Thursday, Nov.11, 1977 in the kitchen of his Washington residence. "Every Thanksgiving," Mondale stated, "I make the turkey and let my wife sleep."
AP Photo

Before serving as Carter's vice president, Mondale served as a US Senator from Minnesota and wrote a book in 1975, titled, "The Accountability of Power: Toward a More Responsible Presidency."

After their term together, on November 4, 1980, Carter and Mondale lost their reelection campaign to former President Ronald Reagan and then running-mate George H.W. Bush.

In 1984, Mondale would run again, this time securing the Democratic nomination for president and choosing the first female running mate on a general election ticket, New York Rep. Geraldine Ferraro. Mondale and Ferraro were defeated by Reagan and Bush in 1984. They won only one state, Mondale's home state, and the District of Columbia. It was the most lopsided general election defeat in US history, and when Mondale at the 1984 Democratic convention, Mondale said, "Let's tell the truth… Mr. Reagan will raise taxes, and so will I. He won't tell you, I just did." The line infamously helped cement the eventual election defeat.

Walter Mondale/ Geraldine Ferraro
On Wednesday, Sept. 5, 1984, Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale and his running mate, Geraldine Ferraro, wave as they leave an afternoon rally in Portland, Ore.
AP Photo/ Jack Smith

With a staunch commitment to liberal politics and deep involvement with Carter's decision-making domestically and internationally, Mondale is considered to have transformed the role of the vice presidency.

After news of Mondale's passing broke on Monday, Carter issued a statement calling Mondale, "the best vice president in our country's history."

This story is developing. Check back for updates.

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