Terry Anderson was kidnapped in Lebanon in 1985 by a group of Shiite extremists and held hostage for 679 days.
His abduction was widely publicized and his release in 1991 was greeted with relief around the world.
Reporter Terry Anderson was the Associated Press’ chief correspondent for the Middle East when he was captured by Islamic militants in 1985 during the “hostage crisis” in Lebanon.
He died at his home in Lake Greenwood, New York, on Sunday (April 21, 2024), according to his daughter. Salome Anderson said she had found peace in recent years after her ordeal.
“He never liked to be called a hero, but everyone insisted on being called a hero,” he said and continued:
“Although my father’s life was marked by extreme suffering during his time as a hostage in captivity, he found a quiet, comfortable peace in recent years. I know he would choose to be remembered not for his worst experience, but for his humanitarian work with the Vietnam Children’s Fund, the Committee to Protect Journalists, homeless veterans and many other incredible causes.”
Luis Bocardi, who ran the Associated Press during Anderson’s captivity, was among those who remember him as a “hero.”
“The word ‘hero’ gets thrown around a lot, but applying it to Terry Anderson only reinforces it,” Bocardi said.
His story
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Table of Contents
Anderson was kidnapped in Beirut on March 16, 1985, after he had just played tennis.
Armed men dragged him into a car and sped away.
He would spend the next six years and nine months trapped in underground cells, chained and blindfolded for much of the time, as one of more than 100 people held in Lebanon.
His sister Peggy Shay, who died in 2015, strongly advocated for the release of her brother and his colleagues.
Terry Anderson’s captors were members of the Iranian-backed Shia Muslim group Hezbollah, who had abducted the journalist in retaliation for the use of American weapons and Israel’s assistance in the 1982–1983 strikes against Muslims and Druze in Lebanon.
Finally, according to newsit, he was released in 1991 as the civil war ended. He first met his daughter, who was born shortly after his abduction, when she was six years old.
After his release, Anderson taught journalism at various US colleges, including Columbia University in New York.
He retired in 2015. He also wrote his best-selling autobiography, Den of Lions, detailing his captivity.
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What were the circumstances surrounding Terry Anderson’s kidnapping in Lebanon?
Terry Anderson: The Brave Journalist Who Endured 679 Days of Captivity in Lebanon
Terry Anderson, a renowned American journalist, will forever be remembered for his bravery and resilience in the face of extreme adversity. In 1985, Anderson was kidnapped by a group of Shiite extremists in Lebanon and held hostage for 679 agonizing days. His abduction sent shockwaves around the world, and his eventual release in 1991 was met with widespread relief.
A Journalist’s Nightmare
Anderson was the Associated Press’ chief correspondent for the Middle East when he was captured by Islamic militants in Beirut on March 16, 1985. He was seized after a game of tennis, dragged into a car, and sped away to an unknown fate. The journalist would spend the next six years and nine months trapped in underground cells, chained and blindfolded for much of the time, as one of more than 100 people held in Lebanon.
The Humanitarian Who Refused to Give Up
Despite the unimaginable suffering he endured, Anderson’s commitment to humanitarian causes remained unwavering. During his captivity, his sister Peggy Shay tirelessly advocated for his release and that of his colleagues. After his release, Anderson went on to teach journalism at various US colleges, including Columbia University in New York. He also wrote his bestselling autobiography, “Den of Lions,” detailing his captivity and the lessons he learned from the experience.
A Life of Service
Anderson’s dedication to humanitarian work extended far beyond his own experiences. He was an active supporter of the Vietnam Children’s Fund, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and homeless veterans, among other worthy causes. His daughter, Salome Anderson, remembered her father as a humble hero who preferred to focus on his humanitarian work rather than his own ordeal. “He never liked to be called a hero, but everyone insisted on calling him a hero,” she said.
Tributes Pour In
Luis Bocardi, who ran the Associated Press during Anderson’s captivity, was among those who remembered him as a hero. “The word ‘hero’ gets thrown around a lot, but applying it to Terry Anderson only reinforces it,” Bocardi said. Colleagues, friends, and family members alike have paid tribute to Anderson’s courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to his craft.
A Legacy of Courage
Terry Anderson’s remarkable story serves as a testament to the power of the human spirit. Despite the unimaginable suffering he endured, he emerged from his ordeal with a deeper appreciation for life and a renewed commitment to making a difference in the world. As we remember his remarkable life, we are reminded of the importance of courage, resilience, and humanitarianism.
Key Takeaways
Terry Anderson was kidnapped by Shiite extremists in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1985 and held hostage for 679 days.
His abduction was widely publicized, and his release in 1991 was greeted with relief around the world.
Anderson was a dedicated journalist who worked for the Associated Press in the Middle East.
During his captivity, his sister Peggy Shay advocated for his release and that of his colleagues.
After his release, Anderson taught journalism at US colleges and wrote his bestselling autobiography, “Den of Lions.”
He was a committed humanitarian who supported various causes, including the Vietnam Children’s Fund, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and homeless veterans.
Optimized Keywords
Terry Anderson
Lebanon
Kidnapping
Hostage
Shiite extremists
Hezbollah
Associated Press
Middle East
Journalism
Humanitarianism
Captivity
Autobiography
“Den of Lions”
Vietnam Children’s Fund
Committee to Protect Journalists
Homeless veterans
What were the main events that led to Terry Anderson’s kidnapping in Lebanon?
The Terry Anderson Story: A Journalist’s Ordeal in Lebanon
Terry Anderson, the American journalist who was kidnapped by Shiite extremists in Lebanon in 1985 and held hostage for 679 days, has passed away at the age of 81. His bravery and resilience in the face of extreme adversity are an inspiration to journalists around the world.
His Story
Anderson was kidnapped in Beirut on March 16, 1985, after playing tennis. Armed men dragged him into a car and sped away, taking him to an underground cell where he would spend the next six years and nine months in captivity. During this time, he was chained and blindfolded, with minimal contact with the outside world.
Anderson’s captors were members of the Iranian-backed Shia Muslim group Hezbollah, who had abducted the journalist in retaliation for the use of American weapons and Israel’s assistance in the 1982–1983 strikes against Muslims and Druze in Lebanon. The kidnapping was widely publicized, and his release in 1991 was greeted with relief around the world.
The Circumstances of His Kidnapping
The circumstances surrounding Anderson’s kidnapping were marked by chaos and instability in Lebanon. The country was in the midst of a civil war, and extremist groups were targeting foreigners, particularly Americans. Anderson, who was the Associated Press’ chief correspondent for the Middle East at the time, was a high-profile target.
Anderson’s sister, Peggy Shay, who died in 2015, strongly advocated for his release and that of his colleagues. Her efforts, along with those of the American government and international organizations, helped keep Anderson’s case in the public eye and eventually contributed to his release.
Life After Captivity
After his release, Anderson returned to the United States and began teaching journalism at various colleges, including Columbia University in New York. He also wrote his bestselling autobiography, “Den of Lions,” detailing his experiences in captivity. Anderson retired in 2015 and spent his later years advocating for various causes, including the Vietnam Children’s Fund and the Committee to Protect Journalists.
Tributes and Legacy
Anderson’s death has been met with tributes from around the world. Luis Bocardi, who ran the Associated Press during Anderson’s captivity, remembered him as a hero. “The word ‘hero’ gets thrown around a lot, but applying it to Terry Anderson only reinforces it,” Bocardi said.
Anderson’s daughter, Salome, said that her father had found peace in recent years and would want to be remembered for his humanitarian work rather than his ordeal in captivity.
Anderson’s bravery and resilience in the face of extreme adversity are an inspiration to journalists around the world. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of a free press and the sacrifices that journalists make to bring news to the public.
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Video
Terry Anderson’s Release from Captivity
