Wrestling legend Vader (real name Leon White) has passed away at the age of 63. The former WCW World Heavyweight Champion succumbed to pneumonia according to a post by his son on Twitter:

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

Vader is known as one of the best ‘big men’ in pro wrestling history, having worked on top in WCW in the early 90s after becoming a huge name in Japan in the years prior.

Vader also had a solid run in the then WWF, working heel in the main event and upper-midcard before being phased out as the Attitude Era took off.

Before his death the future Hall of Famer had also been suffering from congestive heart failure and publicly acknowledged that he didn’t have long left. He’d only just recovered from open heart surgery.

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