Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot celebrated for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River and saving all 155 people on board, has revealed that he is living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Now 75, Sully shared that he was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s in August 2025. He chose to speak publicly about it only now, hoping his story will encourage others facing the same challenge to seek support without fear or stigma.
The earliest changes were subtle. A man once known for his remarkable memory began forgetting small details, struggling to recall names, occasionally repeating stories, and noticing changes in his sleep. He describes it as the start of a new and uncertain chapter.
His wife, Lorrie, says the diagnosis has not changed who he is. The calm, dependable man who guided Flight 1549 to safety remains the same husband, father, and grandfather today. Sully often says his granddaughter has brought a whole new joy and purpose to his life.
On January 15, 2009, shortly after departing New York’s LaGuardia Airport, US Airways Flight 1549 struck a flock of Canada geese, causing both engines to fail. First Officer Jeff Skiles was flying when the bird strike occurred, while Sully took control as Skiles worked through emergency restart procedures. With no runway within reach, Sully successfully landed the Airbus A320 on the Hudson River. Flight attendants Donna Dent, Sheila Dail, and Doreen Welsh evacuated passengers from the flooding aircraft, and every one of the 155 people on board survived. Welsh sustained the only serious injury.
Skiles, who learned of Sully’s diagnosis months earlier through Lorrie, says you would never guess anything had changed.
Despite this new challenge, Sully continues to inspire. In September, he will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, adding another milestone to a lifetime defined by courage, leadership, and service.
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