Former World Heavyweight Champion Leon “Big Van Vader” White passed away on Monday at 7:25pm due to complications from pneumonia. He was 63 years old.
White has been battling heart issues for the past couple of years. In November of 2016, White revealed on Twitter that he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure due to his football and wrestling careers. He said that he had visited two heart doctors, who told him that he only has two years left to live.
White underwent open heart surgery in late March, and had another operation in May.
Vader’s son Jesse White announced the passing on Twitter, as seen below:
It is with a heavy heart to inform everyone that my father, Leon White, passed away on Monday night (6/18/18) at approximately 7:25pm. pic.twitter.com/dP4CNaMuXa— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) June 20, 2018
Around a month ago my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time. pic.twitter.com/hJYjumvxjH— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) June 20, 2018
Photo: WWE
