Jimmy Carter mourns the death of Walter Mondale, calling him the 'best vice president in our country's history'

• Jimmy Carter mourned the death of his former vice president, Walter Mondale, who died on Monday.
• Carter said he considered Mondale "the best vice president in our country's history."
• Mondale had a decades-long political career working as a senator, attorney general, and diplomat.

Former President Jimmy Carter mourned the death of his former Vice President Walter Mondale, who died on Monday at the age of 93.

"Today, I mourn the passing of my dear friend Walter Mondale, who I consider the best vice president in our country's history," Carter wrote in a statement.

On Sunday, Mondale got in touch with Carter, former president Bill Clinton, and President Joe Biden to let them know his death was near, Axios reported.

Carter commended Mondale, whose nickname is Fritz, for his political career and his commitment to the role of vice president when they served together.

"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," Carter said.

Mondale served as a US Senator from Minnesota prior to working with Carter. The pair lost their bid for a second term in office in 1980 but Mondale ran for president in 1984 and chose New York Rep. Geraldine Ferraro as his running mate, the first female running mate on a general election ticket.

The former vice president also once served as a lawyer, Minnesota's attorney general, and as an ambassador to Japan under Clinton.

"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," Carter said.