Terry Anderson, the American journalist who endured more than six years of captivity in Lebanon as the longest-held Western hostage, passed away at the age of 76 at his home in Greenwood Lake, N.Y. His daughter, Sulome Anderson, confirmed that the cause of death was complications from recent heart surgery.
Anderson, the Beirut bureau chief for The Associated Press, was abducted in 1985 by Shia Hezbollah militants of the Islamic Jihad Organization in Lebanon. He was blindfolded, beaten, and chained in various hideaways for 2,454 days before being released in 1991. The militants, supported by Iran, were seeking to pressure the Reagan administration in the Iran-Contra Affair.
After his release, Anderson married his fiancé and met his 6-year-old daughter for the first time. Despite not being physically tortured during his captivity, he spoke about the mental and emotional toll it took on him, spending time in solitary confinement and struggling with feelings of emptiness.
Born in Ohio, Anderson served in the Marines before pursuing a career in journalism. He worked for The A.P. in various countries before his time in Lebanon. Following his release, he faced challenges in coping with his experiences, eventually winning a lawsuit against Iran and filing for bankruptcy in 2009.
Reflecting on his ordeal, Anderson said, “It takes as long to recover as the time you spent in prison.” His story serves as a reminder of the resilience and strength of those who endure unimaginable hardships.
