ully Alzheimer’s diagnosis has turned the Miracle on the Hudson hero into a voice for millions.
Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the pilot who safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009, has revealed that he has early stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Sullenberger, 75, shared the diagnosis in a statement posted to his personal website on July 14, 2026. He said he is at the beginning of a long journey and wants to speak openly about the disease.
The announcement moved many Americans who still remember him as the calm pilot credited with saving all 155 people aboard the jet during the “Miracle on the Hudson.”
Sullenberger Says He Is in the Early Stage
Sullenberger said the diagnosis means names may not come easily, he may forget a story he recently told, or he may not sleep as well.
He said his doctor, Dr. Gil Rabinovici at UCSF Medical Center, helped him understand how many people Alzheimer’s affects.
In his statement, Sullenberger said he and his wife, Lorrie, debated what to do next. He said his answer was to keep serving others by speaking up.
“I am now part of a larger community with many of you, and we will be courageous together,” Sullenberger wrote in his public statement. His full statement can be read here: Statement from Captain Sully Sullenberger.
The Pilot Who Became a National Symbol
Sullenberger became a national hero on Jan. 15, 2009, after US Airways Flight 1549 struck a flock of geese shortly after takeoff from LaGuardia Airport in New York.
The bird strike disabled both engines. Sullenberger and co-pilot Jeff Skiles then guided the Airbus A320 into the Hudson River near Midtown Manhattan.
All 150 passengers and five crew members survived. ABC News reported that the emergency landing became known as the “Miracle on the Hudson.” More details are available in ABC News’ report on Sullenberger’s diagnosis.
Courage Becomes His Message Again
Sullenberger connected his diagnosis to the courage shown during the 2009 emergency landing.
He said people often asked him about the successful outcome of Flight 1549. His answer was that courage can spread from person to person when people face danger together.
Now, he says that same courage is needed in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
His message has made the announcement feel different from a normal celebrity health update. It is also a public call for families facing the disease to step out of silence.
Aviation Safety Remained His Mission
After Flight 1549, Sullenberger became a major voice on aviation safety. Reuters reported that he later testified before Congress in 2019 in support of stronger simulator training for Boeing 737 MAX pilots after two fatal crashes.
He also served as the U.S. ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization in 2022. Before leaving that role, he warned against lowering pilot training requirements for regional airlines.
Reuters reported that Sullenberger has long described aviation safety as a lifelong commitment. You can read Reuters’ report here: Reuters report on Sullenberger’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Millions of Americans Face Alzheimer’s
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that causes irreversible damage to nerve cells in the brain.
ABC News, citing the CDC, reported that Alzheimer’s affects about 7 million people in the United States and is the most common form of dementia.
Early warning signs can include memory loss, trouble solving problems, difficulty completing daily tasks, misplaced items, poor judgment, and mood or personality changes.
There is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but treatment options may help some patients manage symptoms or slow certain changes.
A New Chapter for a Familiar Hero
Sullenberger said his family gives him strength as he faces the diagnosis. He spoke warmly about his wife, daughters, and granddaughter in his statement.
For many people, his announcement is painful because of what he represents. He is remembered as the pilot who stayed calm when there were only moments to act.
Now he is using that same steady voice to talk about a disease that many families face quietly.
The Miracle on the Hudson made Sullenberger a symbol of courage under pressure. His Alzheimer’s announcement may now make him a symbol of courage in a different fight.