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Former Vice President Walter Mondale released from hospital

Former Vice President Walter Mondale, 87, is "doing well" and is going home after a brief hospitalization for influenza.
Former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale speaks at a Georgetown University Law Center discussion on Sept. 24, 2013 in Washington, DC.
Former U.S. Vice President Walter Mondale speaks at a Georgetown University Law Center discussion on Sept. 24, 2013 in Washington, DC.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale, 87, is "doing well" and is going home after a brief hospitalization for influenza.

During a speech in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Friday, former President Jimmy Carter said he had spoken to Mondale, his former vice president, who was being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

"He went there for just a regular physical examination but had a fever, and they finally said that he has influenza," Carter told the crowd. "He is in bed right this moment, but looking forward to come back home."

Kelley Luckstein, a spokesperson for the Mayo Clinic, told NBC News on Saturday that "Vice President Mondale is doing well. He was treated for flu and cold systems, and is headed home."

The hospital treated Mondale when he underwent heart surgery in February 2014.

His wife of 58 years, Joan, died on Feb. 4 at age 83 after a long illness.

Mondale served as Carter's vice president from Jan. 20, 1977 to Jan. 20, 1981. He also served as a U.S. senator from Minnesota and ambassador to Japan. He lost the 1984 race for president to Ronald Reagan.

This story originally appeared on NBCNews.com.