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Who are Walter Mondale's children? A look at Eleanor, Ted and William after ex-VP's tragic death at 93

'Beyond his commitment to public service, our dad was committed to our family, and we will miss him more than words can capture,' said a family statement

Former Vice President Walter F Mondale, who served under Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981, has died aged 93 on Monday. The news of the former senator's death was announced by the family in a statement, where no cause of death was cited. "Beyond his commitment to public service, our dad was committed to our family, and we will miss him more than words can capture," a statement from the family read. 

Walter is survived by his two sons, Theodore 'Ted' and William. His wife Joan Adams Mondale, and daughter Eleanor, died in 2014 and 2011, respectively. More on the family in a bit.

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Walter, who was a liberal icon, once lost a "lopsided presidential election" after announcing he would increase taxes if he won. It is easily one of the highlights of his political career. For someone who had reached great heights, Walter had distinctly humble beginnings. He was born to a Methodist minister and part-time music teacher on January 5, 1928, in Ceylon, Minnesota.

In less than a decade after Walter was born, the Mondale's moved to Elmore, where he was enrolled in the local high school. During his time there, he regularly featured in football, basketball, and track teams, and also founded a political organization called "Republicrats." Later in life, he got married and had three children. Walter loved his family and would often engage in conversations around politics at the dinner table.

Ted

Ted is an American politician, entrepreneur, public administrator, and former CEO of the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority. He is also a former state senator (1990-96) and former chairman of the Metropolitan Council (1999-2002). Ted served as the CEO of Nazca Solutions, a company he founded in 2003 but later sold it to First American Financial Corp. In 2011, Gov. Mark Dayton appointed him to lead the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.

"Ted Mondale is uniquely qualified to lead this important organization at this critical time," Mark had said in a statement and added: "His exceptional dedication to public service, his business experience, and his established relationships with key decision-makers will enable him to represent the best interests of the people of Minnesota in attempting to negotiate a new 'People’s Stadium.'"

William

He worked as an Assistant Attorney General (Saint Paul, Minnesota) specializing in Civil Litigation, Probate. He was admitted to the bar, 1990.

Eleanor

Eleanor died aged 51 after a six-year battle with brain cancer. She was the ex-wife of Chicago Bears football player Keith Van Horne. In 2005, she wed musician Chan Poling, who was from Minneapolis. Unlike her brothers, Eleanor chose a different career path that included acting credits, hosting television shows, and reporting news. 

"Early Saturday morning, September 17th, 2011, our dearest sweet Eleanor passed away from this world," her journal Caring Bridge posted and added: “Eleanor Mondale Poling lived bravely, without regret or fear, with such amazing strength and grace, for 6 years after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2005.”

Meanwhile, condolences for Walter poured in on social media. Minnesota US Sen. Amy Klobucha tweeted: "Walter Mondale was a true public servant and my friend and mentor. He set a high bar for himself and kept passing it and raising it, passing it and raising it. As MN AG, Senator, Vice President, Ambassador and Presidential candidate he was kind and dignified to the end."

White House Senior for COVID response Andy Slavitt expressed grief: "I’ve just learned of the death of Walter Mondale. Champion of the disadvantaged. Warrior for justice. Ambassador. Statesman. Mentor. Minnesota’s favorite son. Rest In Peace."

NBC White House Correspondent Kelly O'Donnell recalled: "In memory of the 42nd Vice President of the United States, Walter Mondale who reshaped that role and opened the door for a woman to serve with his selection of the first female VP candidate. Walter Mondale was 93." Tim Kaine expressed: "So much to say about Walter Mondale. I will always think of him as the chief sponsor of the Fair Housing Act and first presidential candidate to ask a woman to join him on the ticket. Ahead of his time."