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Captain Sully, 75, Reveals Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

The ‘Miracle on the Hudson’ pilot says the disease is in its early stage and explains why he went public

Donna Freydkin,

AARP

Published July 14, 2026

Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, who became a hero in 2009 after safely landing a disabled plane in the Hudson River, has revealed that he has Alzeheimer's disease.

Efren Landaos/Sipa USA via AP Images

Key takeaways

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger began noticing memory changes more than a year before receiving his diagnosis.
Early-stage Alzheimer’s describes how far the disease has progressed. Early-onset Alzheimer’s refers to cases diagnosed before age 65.
He said he is sharing the news to help other people with Alzheimer’s and their families feel less alone.

Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III has Alzheimer’s disease.

“I recently found out I have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease,” Sullenberger, 75, told People in an interview published July 14. He said doctors diagnosed him in August 2025, and that the disease remains in its early stage.

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Sullenberger said he sometimes struggles to retrieve a name, often repeats a story and has trouble sleeping. He described himself as being at the “beginning of this long journey.”

The retired airline captain became known around the world in January 2009, when he landed US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River after a bird strike disabled the plane’s engines. All 155 people aboard survived. Tom Hanks played Sullenberger in the 2016 movie Sully.

Sullenberger told People that he began noticing changes in his memory more than a year ago. After receiving the diagnosis, he and his wife, Lorrie, discussed how much they wanted to disclose. He decided to speak publicly in hopes that other people living with Alzheimer’s would feel less isolated.

“This new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service,” he told People. “And the answer is to speak up. It is my hope that by sharing this, other families living in the shadows with this disease will feel they, too, can step forward.”

The diagnosis has not changed the qualities his family associates with him, Lorrie told the magazine. She said they are supporting him, and the couple continues to spend time with their two daughters and granddaughter.

The partially submerged nose and tail of the US Airways Flight 1549 airplane in the cold Hudson River, surrounded by rescue boats and recovery lines.

Rescue crews secure US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in January 2009 after it crashed shortly after take-off from LaGuardia Airport.

Chris McGrath/Getty Images

Early-stage Alzheimer’s vs. early-onset Alzheimer’s

Sullenberger has early-stage Alzheimer’s, which describes the disease’s progression. He does not have early-onset Alzheimer’s.

Early-onset Alzheimer’s, also called younger-onset Alzheimer’s, is diagnosed before age 65, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Many people with the condition are in their 40s or 50s.

Someone with younger-onset Alzheimer’s can be in the early, middle or late stage of the disease. Diagnosis can take longer in younger patients because doctors may initially attribute memory or thinking problems to stress or another condition, the association says.

Sullenberger has spent much of his career speaking about aviation safety. He told People that he now sees sharing his diagnosis as another form of public service.

He also plans to remain engaged with his work and family. Sullenberger is scheduled to enter the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September.

The disease may change how he remembers the past, he told People, but he remains focused on the life ahead of him.

“We will be courageous together,” Sullenberger said.

More brain health

Captain Sully’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis has put new attention on the disease. AARP shares 15 warning signs of dementia that doctors say should not be ignored.

Donna Freydkin has spent 10-plus years interviewing celebrities for major publications, and has written for a variety of outlets such as USA Today, Allure, Yahoo! and CNN covering topics such as films, family and favorite meals.