Brief:
- Terry Anderson dies at 76 on Saturday at his residence in Greenwood Lake, N.Y., located in the Hudson Valley.
- Terry Anderson dies due to complications from recent heart surgery, his daughter said.
Terry Anderson Dies at 76 Longest-Held Western Hostage
Terry Anderson Dies, the American journalist who endured the longest captivity of any Western hostage in Lebanon, passed away on Saturday at his residence in Greenwood Lake, N.Y., located in the Hudson Valley.
Terry Anderson dies due to complications from recent heart surgery, his daughter said. He was 76 years old. According to his daughter Sulome Anderson, it appears that he passed away due to complications from recent heart surgery.
Terry Anderson, reporter held hostage for six years, dies at 76 https://t.co/uWJ587tLhx
— Allyn Fisher-Ilan (@AFilan) April 22, 2024
Source: Twitter/Allyn Fisher-Ilan
Abduction and Captivity
In March 1985, Mr. Anderson, who served as the Beirut bureau chief for The Associated Press, was abducted by armed individuals while he was dropping off his tennis partner, an A.P. photographer, at his home following an early morning tennis match.
The kidnappers forced him into a Mercedes-Benz after pulling open his car door. Identified as Shia Hezbollah militants from the Islamic Jihad Organization in Lebanon, the captors subjected Mr. Anderson to beatings, blindfolding, and chaining, holding him captive for 2,454 days across approximately 20 hideouts in Beirut, South Lebanon, and the Bekaa Valley.
Political Context and Release
The militants, backed by Iran, claimed their actions were in retaliation to Israel's use of American weaponry in previous strikes against Muslim and Druze targets in Lebanon.
Additionally, they aimed to pressure the Reagan administration into covertly facilitating illegal weapons sales to Iran, a scandalous operation known as the Iran-contra affair.
After his release, Mr. Anderson married his fiancée, Madeleine Bassil, who was pregnant with their child when he was taken captive. He also had the opportunity to meet his 6-year-old daughter for the first time.
Legacy and Post-Captivity Life
Reflecting on his ordeal, he described feeling adrift and disconnected, unable to find solace even in prayer. He turned to the Bible for some comfort, recognizing that his sense of self-worth and dignity couldn't be taken away by others.
Terry Anderson ventured into business ownership, running a blues bar in Athens, Ohio, and pursued politics, running an unsuccessful campaign as a Democrat for the Ohio State Senate in 2004. He co-founded the Vietnam Children’s Fund and established the Father Lawrence Jenco Foundation, supporting community service initiatives in Appalachia.
Philanthropy and Teaching
In addition to his philanthropic endeavors, Mr. Anderson shared his knowledge and experience through teaching positions at several prestigious institutions.
Surviving Mr. Anderson are his daughter Sulome, his second wife Madeleine Bassil, another daughter Gabrielle Anderson from his first marriage to Mihoko Anderson, as well as his sister Judy Anderson and brother Jack.
Memoir and Reflections
In 1993, Terry Anderson penned his memoir, "Den of Lions: Memoirs of Seven Years," chronicling his journey as a captive journalist and his experiences of readjusting to normal life after his release. He acknowledged the challenges of recovery and the emotional scars left by his captivity, recognizing that the journey to healing was a lengthy and ongoing one.
The passing of Terry Anderson marks the end of a remarkable life shaped by resilience, perseverance, and a commitment to humanitarian causes.
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