An airline pilot who became a global hero following his emergency landing of an aircraft onto New York's Hudson River in 2009 has disclosed he has been battling a private health struggle for nearly a year, and has now made his sobering diagnosis public.

Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger III rose to worldwide fame for his courageous actions on one pivotal winter's day 17 years ago, when a flock of geese knocked out both engines of US Airways Flight 1549, which he was piloting, moments after departure.

The remainder, as they say, is history. He rescued all 155 souls aboard, including passengers and crew.

His extraordinary achievement has since been termed "The Miracle on the Hudson" and was even adapted into a 2016 film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Tom Hanks. Yet, even Captain Sully's remarkable resilience appears to have its limits when faced with life's unexpected challenges.

In a candid interview with PEOPLE, the American icon confirmed he has recently received a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

"It is early stage. 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, but I am in the beginning of this long journey."

Sullenberger, 75, revealed to PEOPLE that he had begun struggling to recall certain details over the past year, despite being blessed with the extraordinary gift of a photographic memory. He disclosed that his formal Alzheimer's diagnosis was made almost a full year ago, in August 2025.

"This disease, [my doctor] has told me, spares no age group and impacts millions of people around the world. It is the unwanted visitor at the door," Capt. Sully said via a recent statement.

Alzheimer's, the most prevalent form of dementia, affects more than seven million Americans over the age of 65, according to the Alzheimer's Association. In the UK, approximately 1 in 14 people over the age of 65 are living with dementia.

Sully's first officer aboard the fateful Flight 1549 also responded to the sobering news about the aviation legend. Jeff Skiles said: "Sully is larger than life, even to me. He's somebody I've always looked up to, and I think a lot of other people do, too. Hopefully, it's going to progress slowly, and he's going to be able to create the kind of life going forward that he would be proud of."

According to medical experts, it may well have been the Miracle on the Hudson itself that triggered Captain Sully's recent diagnosis. The aviation legend was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of his heroic achievement, which "doubles the risk of developing Alzheimer's because of changing brain chemistry and structure and sleep disruption."

Yet, despite receiving a serious terminal diagnosis, Captain Sully is - true to form - facing the challenge head-on.

He has announced his intention to continue serving the public, with a renewed dedication to raising awareness of Alzheimer's disease. "This new phase of my life has challenged what it means to be of service," he said.

"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.

"So many people told us after Flight 1549, that the outcome gave them hope," he went on. "Lorrie, my incredible partner of 37 years, says we can all use a little of that hope right now."

The soon-to-be National Aviation Hall of Fame inductee added that his 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.

"Over the years, when people would ask about the successful outcome of Flight 1549, I would say that 'courage can be contagious,' and on that day it helped everyone band together to get everyone off that airplane successfully," he said.

"Now we need that courage to battle this disease. I am now part of a larger community with many of you, and we will be courageous together."

Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent type of dementia, representing 60% to 80% of all cases. It is a progressive, irreversible neurological condition that gradually erodes memory, cognitive abilities, and the capacity to perform straightforward tasks.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer's, treatments exist that can help decelerate its advancement. Certain lifestyle modifications, encompassing both cognitive and physical exercise, can also prove beneficial.

Additionally, newer, more powerful therapies are emerging, according to experts.

Psychiatrist Dr Daniel Amen has outlined 11 factors to help protect oneself against Alzheimer's, with the brain imaging expert noting that enhancing blood circulation, minimising inflammation, and steering clear of toxins such as alcohol and drugs can all prove helpful. He also identified other risk-reduction measures including improving one's mental wellbeing, strengthening immunity, obtaining sufficient sleep, and monitoring your weight.

He further suggested staying aware of hereditary conditions, sustaining a balanced hormonal profile, and keeping the brain engaged during retirement as additional strategies to ward off neurological and memory disorders.