Captain ‘Sully’ Sullenberger Reveals Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Legendary pilot Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger III has disclosed an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. The 75-year-old, famous for safely landing US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009, received his diagnosis in August 2025. “It is early stage,” Sullenberger told People magazine. “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.” His doctor, Dr. Gil Rabinovici of UCSF Medical Center, confirmed the condition. Sullenberger’s wife of 37 years, Lorrie, remains by his side. “He is the same steady person now, before and after this diagnosis,” she said. Sullenberger hopes sharing his story encourages other families affected by the disease to step forward.