On November 8, 2016, Vader wrote on Twitter saying he was involved in a roll over car accident after which he was left unconscious for 35 minutes. Days later, he announced on that he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure due to his football and wrestling careers. The wrestling lenged, 61, visited two heart doctors and they told him he has only two years left to live.
Vader posted the following tweet yesterday:
As I enter my final days, proud of the Father Son Brother Football player Pro WrestlerThe Super Heavy Big Man Goat Im Grateful for the Time
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) February 14, 2017