Captain Sully Announces Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Veteran pilot Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, 75, revealed this week that he has been diagnosed with early‑stage Alzheimer’s disease.
A Diagnosis Discovered Through Memory Gaps
In an interview with People, Sullenberger explained that the diagnosis came in August 2025 after he noticed his once‑photographic memory beginning to slip.
“I recently found out that I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It is an early stage,” he said in a statement posted on his official website.
Hopeful About Sharing His Story
Sullenberger, best known for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009, said he wants to speak openly about the condition to help other families facing the same journey.
“I hope that by sharing this information, other families living in the shadow of this disease will feel like they can take a step forward,” he added.
Background and Legacy
The pilot’s career spans decades of service in the U.S. Air Force, commercial aviation, accident investigation, and a term as U.S. ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization.
His decisive actions on January 15, 2009, when the aircraft struck a flock of geese and lost both engines, earned him the nickname “Hero of the Hudson” and inspired the 2016 film *Sully*, starring Tom Hanks.
What Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Means
According to the Mayo Clinic, early symptoms often include forgetting recent events or conversations, and difficulty recalling names or stories.
Sullenberger noted that at this stage he may struggle to find words, forget recent anecdotes, or experience restless sleep, but he remains at the beginning of a long journey.
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, but early awareness can lead to better support and research.
