Vader Passes Away At 63 Years Old, His Son & WWE Comment

Former WCW Word Champion Vader (real name Leon White) has passed away at the age of 63. His son broke the news on Twitter and WWE has also commented on the matter.

In November 2016, Vader noted how he was only given two years to live due to heart issues from years of football and pro wrestling. White underwent open heart surgery in late March and had another operation in May. He was recently recovering from pneumonia.

Below is comment from Vader’s son and WWE.

Vader passes away

WWE is saddened to learn that Leon White, better known to WWE audiences as Vader, passed away Monday night at the age of 63.
White began his sports-entertainment career in the mid-1980s after retiring from the NFL due to injury. He rose to national prominence in Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association before joining New Japan Pro Wrestling as the masked Big Van Vader. He went on to become one of the promotion’s biggest stars and most feared competitors.

Vader then transitioned to World Championship Wrestling, where he would make the biggest mark of his career. He engaged in memorable rivalries with the likes of Sting and Ron Simmons, becoming a dominant, three-time WCW World Champion in the process.

In 1996, Vader joined the WWE roster, where he squared off against Superstars such as Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker. He also found success on the small screen with a recurring guest role on the popular 1990s television program, “Boy Meet.

WWE extends its condolences to White’s family, friends and fans.