Animal Expert Jack Hanna Has Forgotten Most Of His Family & Is In Advanced Stages Of Alzheimer's

justjared.com:

Jack Hanna‘s family has revealed that the conservationist is in the advanced stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

The 76-year-old’s wife, Suzi Hanna, opened up in a new feature for the Columbus Dispatch, revealing that her husband’s ailment has advanced faster than they had expected it to. Keep reading to find out more… Jack‘s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s was first announced in 2021, and since then, Jack has seemed to forget most of his family members. “The Jack people knew isn’t here anymore, but pieces of my husband are,” Suzi shared with the paper. “I’m going to hang onto them for as long as I can.” Two of Jack‘s daughters, Suzanne and Kathaleen, also spoke to the paper, with Suzanne saying that he’s forgotten her. “[He] just stopped remembering who I was in all ways… Whether it was in person or by phone, he had no idea I was his daughter,” she shared. “I think it’s because he didn’t see me as much because I got married so young and I moved away.” Kathaleen and Suzi also said that his love for animals is still there. “He would have worked until the day he died.

He only retired due to the Alzheimer’s,” Kathaleen said. “He was embarrassed by it. He lived in fear the public would find out.” Suzi adds that “the showman is still in there somewhere…Jack loved making people laugh as much as he loved taking care of animals.” Jack served as Columbus Zoo’s director from 1978 to 1992, before taking on the honorary, Emeritus Director.