Sully Sullenberger Advocates for Alzheimer's Testing in First Interview Since Diagnosis
The 'Miracle on the Hudson' pilot, who revealed his early-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis in July, urged others to seek testing, emphasizing the importance of early detection.
Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, famed for piloting US Airways Flight 1549 to a safe landing on the Hudson River, is speaking out about his early-stage Alzheimer's diagnosis and advocating for others to get tested.
In his first television interview since announcing his diagnosis in mid-July, the 75-year-old shared his experiences with the disease and highlighted the critical importance of early detection. Sullenberger and his wife, Lorrie, spoke with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America.
"Early diagnosis is so critically important," Sullenberger stated. "If you have doubts, get tested because the sooner you act, the more options there are, the better the outcome is likely to be."
The couple confirmed that Sullenberger officially tested positive in August 2025, but they had begun noticing subtle changes in his behavior years prior. Lorrie Sullenberger described the initial symptoms as "so subtle" and "what's unusual for your person."
Sullenberger publicly shared his diagnosis in July, stating it is an early stage that affects his ability to recall names or stories and impacts his sleep, but he remains optimistic. He emphasized that the diagnosis "will not prevent me from looking forward to and appreciating our future."
"I will navigate this chapter with my wonderful family by my side," he said, referring to his wife of 37 years and their two daughters. He drew a parallel to the "Miracle on the Hudson," where "courage can be contagious," adding, "Now we need that courage to battle this disease."
According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's. The disease was the fifth-leading cause of death among people over age 65 in 2024.
Sullenberger, who was portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 2016 film about the 2009 Hudson River landing, aims to use his platform to raise awareness about the global impact of Alzheimer's. He noted that his doctor, Dr. Gil Rabinovici of UCSF Medical Center, has opened his eyes to the prevalence of the disease. "It is my hope that by sharing this, other families living in the shadows with this disease will feel they too can step forward," Sullenberger said.
