Renowned American journalist who was held hostage in Lebanon for several years, passes away at the age of 76
Terry Anderson, a renowned US journalist who endured nearly seven years of captivity during Lebanon’s civil war, has passed away at the age of 76.
Anderson, serving as the chief Middle East correspondent for the Associated Press (AP) at the time of his capture in 1985, was held captive by Islamist militants during what became known as the Lebanon hostage crisis.
According to his daughter, he passed away at his residence in Greenwood Lake, New York, following complications from heart surgery. In recent years, he had managed to find solace after enduring the traumatic experience.
Sulome Anderson, his daughter, expressed, “He never sought to be labeled as a hero, but that’s what people persistently regarded him as. Despite the immense suffering my father endured as a hostage, he discovered peace and comfort in his later years. I believe he would prefer to be remembered not for his worst experience, but for his humanitarian efforts with organizations such as the Vietnam Children’s Fund, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and homeless veterans.”
Louis Boccardi, former head of AP during Anderson’s captivity, also referred to him as a “hero.” Boccardi stated, “The term ‘hero’ is often thrown around, but it genuinely applies to Terry Anderson.”
Anderson, who had served in the Vietnam War prior to his journalistic career, was abducted in Beirut on March 16, 1985, shortly after playing tennis on his day off. Gunmen forcefully took him into a car and swiftly fled the scene.
His late sister, Peggy Say, passionately advocated for the release of Anderson and his fellow captives.
Between 1982 and 1992, over 100 hostages, predominantly from the US and Western Europe, were held captive, including Terry Waite, an envoy from the Church of England. Waite was taken hostage by the same group that held Anderson after negotiations broke down on January 20, 1987. He regained his freedom in 1991 after enduring 1,763 days in captivity.
Anderson communicated news from the outside world to Waite, who had spent years in solitary confinement, by tapping on the walls between their cells. Both men endured shackles, beatings, and threats. Anderson, often blindfolded and forced to sleep on a meager, soiled mattress on the floor, later revealed that he “nearly lost his sanity.” He attributed his survival to his Catholic faith.
Finally released in 1991, coinciding with the end of the civil war, Anderson spent a total of 2,454 days in captivity, making him the longest-held Western hostage.
Anderson met his daughter, who was born shortly after his abduction, for the first time when she turned six years old.
Following his release, Anderson taught journalism at several US universities, including Columbia University in New York, before retiring in 2015.
According to AP, Anderson also grappled with post-traumatic stress disorder and suffered significant financial losses due to poor investments. These funds were part of the frozen Iranian assets that he had previously obtained as compensation for his ordeal.
Moreover, he authored a best-selling autobiography titled “Den of Lions,” which provided a detailed account of his time in captivity.