“Miracle on the Hudson” hero Captain Sully Sullenberger, 75, courageously shares his diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
One of the world’s most admired aviation legends is embarking on a deeply personal and courageous journey. On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, retired airline captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger announced that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. In a deeply moving and candid statement released on his personal website, the 75-year-old hero explained that he wanted to share his diagnosis openly to break the stigma surrounding the progressive brain disorder and to bring hope to millions of families facing similar battles.
The diagnosis represents a new chapter for Sullenberger, who gained global renown on January 15, 2009, when he calmly glided a disabled US Airways Airbus A320 onto New York’s freezing Hudson River. Both of the aircraft’s engines had been disabled by a flock of geese shortly after takeoff. His quick thinking and decades of flight experience saved the lives of all 155 passengers and crew members in what became celebrated worldwide as the “Miracle on the Hudson”.
The retired pilot noticed subtle changes in his memory and sleep patterns in late 2025, prompting him to seek medical evaluation. Sullenberger was subsequently diagnosed by specialists at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center. In his statement, Sullenberger described the early effects of the condition with characteristic directness, noting that names may not come to him as easily, that he might repeat a story, or that he might find his sleep disrupted. “But I am in the beginning of this long journey,” he said.
Detailed in an exclusive People feature, Sullenberger and his wife, Lorrie, initially wrestled with whether to keep the diagnosis private. Ultimately, his lifelong devotion to public service, having served in the U.S. Air Force, as a commercial pilot, an air safety advocate, and as the U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization, compelled him to speak out. “This new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service,” Sullenberger shared. “And the answer is to speak up.”
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The announcement has triggered a massive wave of support from the aviation community and beyond. His first officer on Flight 1549, Jeff Skiles, shared that he has known about the diagnosis for several months and emphasized that Sullenberger remains “larger than life,” with most people never suspecting anything is wrong. According to reports, Sullenberger’s primary physician, Dr. Gil Rabinovici, praised Sullenberger’s decision to go public, pointing out that Alzheimer’s is an “unwanted visitor” that impacts millions of families worldwide who deserve to know they are not alone.
Drawing an inspiring parallel between his new health battle and the famous 2009 landing, Sullenberger recalled how he has spent years telling the public that “courage can be contagious”. “On that day, it helped everyone band together to get everyone off that airplane successfully,” Sullenberger said. “Now we need that courage to battle this disease.” Backed by his wife, daughters, and young granddaughter, Sullenberger plans to continue his work as an advocate for aviation safety and will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September 2026.
