Captain Sully Announces He’s in the ‘Beginning’ of His Alzheimer’s Journey Following Diagnosis

Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III recently opened up about a personal health battle.

The retired airline captain, who became an American hero after safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 in New York City’s Hudson River in 2009, revealed that he’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

“I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease,” Sullenberger, 75, told People in an interview published on Tuesday, July 14.

While he shared that he received the diagnosis in August 2025, Sullenberger said that he remains in the disease’s “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 long journey,” he said.

His wife, Lorrie, also spoke to the publication and said the diagnosis hasn’t changed the man she’s always known.

“Just as he was the same steady person before and after Flight 1549, he is the same steady person now, before and after this diagnosis,” Lorrie explained. “That strength and steadiness is guiding us as a family. We’re supporting him on this journey that we now walk with so many other families. Though the future is uncertain, we continue to live our lives, have hope, and find joy in the everyday.”

Sullenberger became famous on January 15, 2009, after the plane he was flying collided with a flock of geese and both engines were disabled shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport.

He managed to safely land the aircraft in the Hudson River and the crew, along with all 155 passengers, survived the crash landing. The dramatic rescue became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” and it was later depicted in the 2016 movie Sully, with Tom Hanks portraying the lead role.