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Sully Sullenberger Discloses Early Alzheimer’s to Boost Awareness

7/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

Retired pilot Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger announced he has early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
He said early-stage symptoms include difficulty recalling names, forgetting recent stories, and poorer sleep.
He said he is publicizing the diagnosis to raise awareness, joining actor Danny Glover in speaking out about Alzheimer’s.
He urged families to step forward, noting the Alzheimer’s Association reports about 7.4 million Americans 65 or older live with clinical Alzheimer’s, three-quarters of them 75 or older.

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Story summary

Retired pilot Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger announced he has early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
He said early-stage symptoms include difficulty recalling names, forgetting recent stories, and poorer sleep.
He said he is publicizing the diagnosis to raise awareness, joining actor Danny Glover in speaking out about Alzheimer’s.
He urged families to step forward, noting the Alzheimer’s Association reports about 7.4 million Americans 65 or older live with clinical Alzheimer’s, three-quarters of them 75 or older.