Late Walter Mondale Wrote Jimmy Carter’s Eulogy Before He Died

The 39th U.S. President Jimmy Carter passed away on December 29 at the remarkable age of 100. Aside from ruling the country in the late ‘70s, he is known for his humble leadership and global humanitarian efforts, and his memorial promises to be deeply heartfelt.

Initially, the honor of delivering his eulogy was set for his former vice president, Walter Mondale; however, Mondale passed in 2021, leaving the task to his son, Ted Mondale. Mondale prepared and entrusted the speech to Ted years ago.

Ted Mondale was unaware he was set to eulogize Jimmy Carter

Ted Mondale was caught off guard when he discovered his father had written a eulogy for Carter. The Carter Center reached out to him after Walter Mondale’s death, sharing the surprising news. Ted believes his father wrote the eulogy in 2015, around the time Carter was diagnosed with brain cancer.

At the age of 90, Carter’s health was uncertain, and Walter wanted to be prepared to honor his close friend. Ted shared that his father never mentioned it to him as he recalled the unexpected moment he was asked to take over. The speech had been updated over the years, showcasing Walter Mondale’s deep admiration for Carter.

What is in Walter Mondale’s special eulogy for Jimmy Carter?

The eulogy captures the spirit of Carter and Mondale’s time in office, focusing on the forward-thinking challenges they tackled. Among the highlights is Carter’s dedication to environmental issues, including conservation, regulation, and clean energy initiatives. These efforts, bold for their time, are even more relevant today.

It also reflects on how Carter and Mondale reshaped the vice presidency into a role of active partnership, a model still used today. Their professional bond never wavered, and they maintained a lifelong friendship. This is especially true when a 93-year-old Carter traveled all the way to Minnesota for Mondale’s 90th birthday.