Captain Sully Reveals Alzheimer's Diagnosis

Legendary pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who made an emergency landing on the Hudson River in 2009, has revealed he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The diagnosis came in August 2025 after he noticed he was starting to forget things.

In a statement, the 75-year-old pilot said the disease is in its early stages. He explained that he sometimes struggles to recall names or recently told stories, and his sleep has worsened, but he understands this is just the beginning of a long journey.

Sully admitted he didn't realize how widespread Alzheimer's is, especially among people over 65, until his doctor shared the numbers. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 7 million Americans aged 65 and older live with the disease.

His wife, Lorrie, emphasized that just as he remained steady before and after Flight 1549, he remains the same composed person now, before and after this diagnosis. She expressed confidence he will face this challenge as well.

On January 15, 2009, Flight 1549 struck a flock of birds, causing both engines to fail. Sully Sullenberger decided to land the plane on the water, and thanks to his skill, all 155 people on board survived. This story was dramatized in the 2016 film “Sully,” starring Tom Hanks.

After the incident, the pilot became a national hero and retired from commercial flying in 2010. This September, he will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. Despite the diagnosis, he continues to lead an active life and engage in public activities.