Jack Hanna’s family has recently opened up about his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, shedding light on the zookeeper and media personality’s struggle with the disease. In an interview with The Columbus Dispatch, Hanna’s family revealed that his Alzheimer’s has progressed to the point where he no longer recognizes most of his family members.
Hanna, who served as the director of the Columbus Zoo from 1978 to 1992, first showed symptoms of the disease in 2017. Throughout his career as a media personality, he made numerous appearances as an animal expert on talk shows and hosted his own syndicated shows like “Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures.”
Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, a condition characterized by symptoms such as memory loss and cognitive decline, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. While it primarily affects adults over the age of 65, it is not a normal part of the aging process. The disease progresses over time, eventually leading to severe cognitive impairment and difficulty with communication.
Approximately 55 million people worldwide are affected by Alzheimer’s, and although there is no definitive cause, genetics may play a role, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. While there is currently no cure for the disease, there are treatments available, including medication, which Hanna’s family states he is taking to help manage the symptoms.
This year, a groundbreaking Alzheimer’s drug called donanemab, developed by Eli Lilly, showed promising results in reducing the decline in thinking skills among patients receiving the infusions.
The Hanna family took to Twitter to announce their decision of allowing The Columbus Dispatch into their Montana home to provide a firsthand glimpse into living with Alzheimer’s disease. In their tweet, they expressed how Hanna’s mobility remains intact, but his mind has deteriorated, leaving them yearning for his former self.
Hanna received an official diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in 2019 and subsequently retired from the zoo in 2020, shortly after his final stage performance with animals. Regarding his retirement, Hanna’s daughter, Kathaleen, shared with The Dispatch that he would have continued working until his very last day if it weren’t for his Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Hanna felt embarrassed by his condition and lived in constant fear of the public discovering his struggles.
Hanna’s wife, Suzi, revealed that he initially wanted to keep his diagnosis private. However, in 2021, when the Columbus Zoo faced issues, Hanna found himself at the center of public attention once again. Faced with inquiries, the family made the difficult decision to disclose his diagnosis to the public. Unfortunately, Hanna remains unaware of their actions.
Prior to his diagnosis, Hanna displayed signs of memory loss, occasionally forgetting the names of animals during his stage performances and even the cities he was in. Since then, his Alzheimer’s has progressed significantly, with his daughter, Suzanne, sharing during The Dispatch interview that he no longer recognizes her as his daughter. Hanna’s other daughter, Julie, faced a tumor diagnosis, but he struggled to comprehend the situation.
Kathaleen explained the family’s motivation for sharing Hanna’s story, stating, “If this helps even one other family, it’s more than worth sharing dad’s story. He spent a lifetime helping everyone he could. He will never know it or understand it, but he is still doing it now.”
The family concluded their Twitter announcement by stating that they have no intentions of participating in further interviews.
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