Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the retired airline captain who executed the emergency water landing of US Airways Flight 1549 on the Hudson River in 2009, announced on Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. The 75-year-old disclosed the diagnosis in a statement on his website and in an interview with People magazine, saying he first noticed intermittent memory lapses more than a year ago and received the diagnosis in August 2024.

Sullenberger described symptoms that include difficulty recalling names, forgetting stories he has recently told, and disrupted sleep. He characterised the disease as being in its earliest phase, and cited his physician, Dr. Gil Rabinovici of UCSF Medical Center, who had impressed upon him the condition’s reach across age groups and its impact on millions worldwide. The former pilot, once known for a photographic memory, said the diagnosis has challenged his understanding of what it means to be of service, but he concluded that speaking up was the most useful response.

His wife, Lorrie, told People that he remains the same steady person he was before and after the 2009 incident, and that the family is navigating the journey with hope. The announcement drew coverage across German, Spanish, and English-language outlets, reflecting the enduring global recognition of the “Miracle on the Hudson.” Sullenberger, portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 2016 Clint Eastwood film Sully, has in recent years become a prominent voice for aviation safety, testifying before the U.S. Congress on pilot training standards and aircraft certification reforms following the Boeing 737 MAX crashes. He now intends to use his public stature to destigmatise Alzheimer’s and encourage other families to step forward.

Sullenberger is scheduled to be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September, an event at which he is expected to address his diagnosis publicly. That appearance will serve as a concrete next step in his stated effort to confront the disease openly. No further details on his treatment or prognosis have been made available.