Quick Info
| Profession | Retired aircraft pilot, diplomat, aviation safety expert, author |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Date of Birth | 23/01/1951 |
| Age | 75 years |
| Birthplace | Denison, Texas, USA |
Latest News about Sully Sullenberger
14/07/2026
Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger announced that he has early-stage Alzheimer's disease. He said he received the diagnosis in August 2025 and remains active while beginning treatment and adjusting to the condition.
14/07/2026
Sullenberger was also reported to be on track for induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September 2026. The honor recognizes his Hudson River landing, aviation safety advocacy, authorship, and later public service as U.S. ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization.
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Bio/Wiki
| Full Name | Chesley Burnett "Sully" Sullenberger III |
|---|---|
| Known For | Captain of US Airways Flight 1549, successfully ditching the plane on the Hudson River after a bird strike, saving all 155 people aboard |
| Nickname | Sully |
| Title | Hero of the Hudson |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Undergraduate | Bachelor of Science in Psychology from West Texas University |
|---|---|
| Graduate | Master of Science in Industrial Psychology from Purdue University |
| Additional | Air Force pilot training; served as a retired Air Force fighter pilot |
Personal Life
| Residence | San Francisco, California, USA |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Lorrie Sullenberger |
| Children | Two daughters |
| Grandchildren | One grandchild (welcomed in 2024) |
Relationships & More
| Married To | Lorrie Sullenberger (since 17/06/1989) |
|---|---|
| Previously Married To | Barbara Lloyd Shortz |
Family
| Children | Two daughters |
|---|---|
| Grandchildren | One |
Career
| Pilot Career | Commercial pilot for 29 years with US Airways; over 20,000 flight hours |
|---|---|
| Key Event | US Airways Flight 1549 emergency landing on Hudson River on 15/01/2009 |
| Post-Retirement Roles |
|
| Retirement Year | 2010 |
| Current Activity | Flies privately |
| Honors | Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September 2026 |
Favourites
| Books Written |
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|---|---|
| Favorite Movie About Him | Sully (2016), directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Tom Hanks |
Style Quotient
| Public Persona | Composed, heroic, safety advocate |
|---|---|
| Speaking Style | Keynote speaker on aviation safety and leadership |
Social Media
| https://www.linkedin.com/in/capt-sully-sullenberger |
Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Returned to flying for a limited number of flights after the Hudson incident before retiring in 2010 | |
| 2. Served as U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization for approximately 7 months | |
| 3. His memoir was adapted into a major Hollywood film | |
| 4. He is an Air Force veteran and former fighter pilot | |
| 5. Welcomed his first grandchild in 2024 | |
| 6. Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in September 2026 |