If you grew up watching late-night television, you know the routine. A frantic man in khaki shorts would rush onto the stage, usually trailing a cheetah on a leash or clutching a very confused lemur. That was "Jungle Jack." But lately, the silence from the man who once couldn't stop talking about wildlife has been loud. It's been a few years since the news broke, and frankly, people are still trying to wrap their heads around what happened to Jack Hanna and family.
The image we all have—the wide-eyed enthusiasm and the "Born Free" energy—has collided with a much harsher reality. Life for the Hannas isn't about television cameras or global safaris anymore. It’s about a quiet house in Montana and the slow, agonizing thievery of Alzheimer’s disease.
The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
It wasn't a sudden thing. Not really. Looking back, there were signs as early as 2017. Jack would forget which city he was in during a tour. He’d stumble over the name of an animal he’d handled a thousand times. But when you’re that famous and that busy, you just chalk it up to age or exhaustion.
By October 2019, the "official" word came down: Alzheimer's.
The family kept it a secret at first. Jack was embarrassed. He didn't want the world to see him losing his grip. He had spent his life as the guy with all the answers about the natural world, and suddenly, he couldn't find the words for his own life. It wasn't until 2021 that his daughters—Kathaleen, Suzanne, and Julie—released that heartbreaking letter. They basically said the light in his eyes was dimming.
By 2023, the situation turned even more somber. Suzi, his wife of over 50 years, revealed that Jack no longer recognized his own children. He knew her, and he knew his dog, Brassy. Most days, that was it.
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Who are the People Behind the Legend?
We often see the "Jungle Jack" persona and forget there’s a massive support system that actually built the Columbus Zoo into what it is today.
Suzi Hanna is the absolute backbone of this operation. They met at Muskingum College back in the 60s. Think about that—over half a century together. She wasn't just the wife at home; she was the co-adventurer who traveled to Rwanda 40 times and slept in yurts. Now, she’s his primary caregiver. She’s gone on record saying, "He took care of me all those years, and so it’s my turn to take care of him." It’s a level of loyalty that’s honestly rare to see.
Then you’ve got the three daughters:
- Kathaleen Stephenson: The eldest. She’s often the spokesperson for the family. She’s been very vocal lately about the "Jack and Suzi Hanna Fund," making sure the money keeps going to conservation even if Jack can't be there to sign the checks.
- Suzanne Southerland: She lives more of a private life but has shared memories of her "magical" childhood. She’s the one who famously recalled her dad bringing an actual elephant to her sixth-grade science fair.
- Julie Hanna: Julie’s story is probably the most emotional. When Jack first took the job at the Columbus Zoo in 1978, it wasn't just for the career move. He did it because Columbus had a world-class children's hospital. Julie was battling leukemia at the time. She survived, but she’s faced health hurdles her whole life, including a brain tumor removal in more recent years.
The Reality of Advanced Alzheimer’s in 2026
The progression hasn't slowed down. As of early 2026, the family continues to deal with the "long goodbye." For anyone who hasn't dealt with dementia, it’s hard to explain. The person is right there. They look like Jack. They wear the khakis. But the "Jungle Jack" spirit—that manic, wonderful curiosity—is mostly gone.
The family moved to Montana for the privacy and the peace. They spend their days finding "small moments of joy." Maybe it’s a walk. Maybe it’s a certain song. It’s a far cry from the David Letterman sets where he’d let a snake crawl over the host’s desk.
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There’s a common misconception that because he was so active, he might "snap out of it" or that some new treatment has reversed it. Sadly, that’s not how this works. The family has been very transparent about the fact that he is in the advanced stages. They aren't looking for a miracle cure anymore; they are looking for comfort.
Why They Decided to Go Public
A lot of people asked: why tell us? Why not let him have his dignity in private?
Kathaleen and Suzi were torn about this. But the Columbus Zoo was going through some leadership drama and accreditation issues a few years back, and people were demanding to hear from Jack. The family realized they couldn't keep the secret anymore.
More importantly, they realized that Jack Hanna and family could do one last job for the world: raise awareness. If "America's favorite zookeeper" could be struck down by this, it shows that it doesn't care about your status or how many lions you've saved. They wanted other families to feel less alone.
The Living Legacy in Ohio
Even though Jack is in Montana, his footprint in Ohio is permanent. The Columbus Zoo isn't just a park; it's a massive conservation machine.
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- The Jack and Suzi Hanna Fund: This is where the real work happens now. It funds wildlife conservation, education, and habitat innovation.
- The Wilds: This 10,000-acre safari park in Cumberland, Ohio, was Jack's dream. Kathaleen recently served as the honorary chair for their "Fall Safari" fundraiser.
- Animal Encounters Village: A newer section of the zoo designed specifically to keep Jack’s philosophy alive—the idea that if you "touch the heart," you can "teach the mind."
What You Can Do Now
If you're looking for ways to honor what Jack and his family have contributed to the world, don't just post a "get well" message on social media—the family rarely checks those now and Jack wouldn't understand them anyway.
Instead, look into the Jack and Suzi Hanna Fund at the Columbus Zoo. It’s the most direct way to ensure that the species he spent 40 years protecting don't vanish just because he can no longer speak for them. Also, support your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter. The Hannas have made it clear that their new mission is fighting the "darkness" of this disease.
The best way to remember Jack isn't to dwell on the current sadness, but to remember the guy who forgot his pants on national TV because he was too busy worrying about a baby gorilla. That’s the guy Suzi is still taking care of today.
To stay updated on their conservation work, follow the official Columbus Zoo blog, where Kathaleen occasionally shares updates on the projects their family still champions. You can also advocate for better dementia care in your own community, which the Hanna family has cited as a vital part of their current journey.