Captain Sullenberger Diagnosed with Early-Stage Alzheimer’s

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, known for saving 155 lives by landing U.S. Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009, has shared the news of his early-stage Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

In a statement released on Tuesday, he spoke about his condition, noting that it remains in its initial phase.

“For now, this means a name may not come easily to me, I forget a story I have recently told, or I don’t sleep as well, but I am at the beginning of this long journey,” he explained.

The historic flight faced a critical situation after a bird strike, which disabled both engines. Sullenberger managed to glide the Airbus A320 to a safe landing in the icy waters of the Hudson. Remarkably, all passengers and crew were rescued without fatalities, a moment oft-remembered as the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

The 2016 film Sully, directed by Clint Eastwood, dramatized this event and the ensuing investigation, featuring Tom Hanks as Sullenberger.

Beyond his heroic landing, Sullenberger’s career spans decades, including roles as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, an experienced airline captain, an air safety investigator, and as a U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization.

“I used the greater voice afforded to me by The Miracle on the Hudson to further aviation safety by speaking out on many issues facing the industry,” he noted. “I was proud to work with many colleagues, fighting for increased pilot training, more pilot rest, in favor of the two-pilot rule, on increased technology issues, and more.”

Despite his diagnosis, Sullenberger expressed his commitment to serving his country in new ways.

“So this new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service. And the answer is to speak up. It is my hope that by sharing this, other families living in the shadows with this disease will feel they too can step forward,” he said.

Reflecting on his diagnosis, he also considered his family, including his wife of thirty-seven years, Lorrie, and their daughters.

“Lorrie and I often said we won the baby lottery with our two daughters. And we have learned what people say is actually true: that grandchildren are a game changer. Our granddaughter gives a whole new meaning to life,” he shared. “Though it may impact my memory of the past, this diagnosis will not prevent me from looking forward to and appreciating our future. I will navigate this chapter with my wonderful family by my side,” he added.

Sullenberger acknowledged the bravery that fueled the successful rescue from Flight 1549, emphasizing that this same courage is necessary now.

“Over the years, when people would ask about the successful outcome of Flight 1549, I would say that ‘courage can be contagious,’ and on that day it helped everyone band together to get everyone off that airplane successfully,” he reflected. “Now we need that courage to battle this disease. I am now part of a larger community with many of you, and we will be courageous together.”