Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger Reveals Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot known for his heroic Hudson River landing, recently disclosed his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. On January 15, 2009, Sullenberger successfully landed a US Airways flight carrying 155 passengers after birds disabled both engines, an event famously dubbed the “Miracle on the Hudson.”

Sullenberger shared this news in a statement: “I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. It is early stage. 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 in the beginning of this journey.”

He added that Alzheimer’s affects millions globally: “This disease, [my doctor] has told me, spares no age group and impacts millions of people around the world. It is the unwanted visitor at the door.”

In 2016, Tom Hanks portrayed Sullenberger’s life-saving actions in the film “Sully.” Passengers from the flight recalled the event on its 10th anniversary, describing Sullenberger as “guided by angels.” All passengers and crew were safely evacuated after the emergency water landing, earning Sullenberger and his crew the label of heroes.

Sullenberger reflected on the event, “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.” He now calls for the same courage in facing Alzheimer’s: “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.”

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that approximately 7.4 million Americans live with the disease, which currently has no cure.