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Is Sue Gordon Ill? Separating Fact From Rumor About The Former Top Spy’s Health

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The question of "Is Sue Gordon ill?" is a persistent query that has circulated online for years, reflecting public curiosity about the health of one of America's most respected and resilient intelligence leaders. As of December 2025, the Honorable Susan M. "Sue" Gordon, the former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI), is not publicly reported to be currently ill and remains highly active in the national security and technology sectors. However, the rumors are rooted in a very real, high-profile health challenge she faced years ago, which she has since spoken about publicly.

This article provides a comprehensive look at the source of the health rumors, a clarification of her past medical history, and an update on her current, highly engaged professional life, which continues to shape the future of the U.S. Intelligence Community.

The Honorable Susan M. "Sue" Gordon: A Full Biography

The Honorable Susan M. "Sue" Gordon is a revered figure in the U.S. Intelligence Community, known for her nearly three-decade career focused on national security, technology, and leadership. Her professional trajectory is defined by a commitment to innovation and integration across complex government agencies.

  • Full Name: Susan M. Gordon
  • Education: Duke University (B.A. in Zoology)
  • Early Career: Began her career in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in 1980.
  • CIA Roles: Served for 27 years at the CIA, rising through the ranks to hold various leadership positions, including Director of the Information Operations Center.
  • National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA): Served as Deputy Director of the NGA from 2015 to 2017.
  • Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence (PDDNI): Appointed as the fifth PDDNI on August 7, 2017, serving as the key advisor to the Director of National Intelligence and leading the 17-member Intelligence Community.
  • Resignation: Resigned from the PDDNI role in August 2019 following a decision by President Donald Trump not to name her as Acting DNI.
  • Current Status (2025): Highly active as a board member and advisor for various private sector and non-profit organizations focused on technology, AI, and national security.

Her background—from being a three-time captain of the Duke Women's Basketball team to serving at the highest levels of the Intelligence Community—highlights a career built on resilience and strategic thinking.

Clarifying the Health Rumors: Sue Gordon's Past Cancer Diagnosis

The persistent search query "is Sue Gordon ill" is directly linked to a past medical challenge that the former PDDNI has openly discussed. While she is not reported to be currently ill, she did face a significant health battle that impacted her personal and professional decisions.

The High-Profile Diagnosis

During a public interview, Sue Gordon revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer. This personal health crisis was so impactful that she stated it was the reason she decided against running for president, a political aspiration she had considered. This revelation, coming from such a prominent figure, naturally generated significant media attention and has led to the ongoing public curiosity about her well-being.

Crucially, public reports and her continued, vigorous professional activity suggest she successfully navigated this health challenge. Her current schedule, filled with advisory roles and public speaking engagements, is a strong indicator of her recovery and good health.

Addressing Other "Sue Gordon" Stories

The internet's search results often conflate the former PDDNI with other individuals who share the same name and have also faced serious health issues. This confusion is a major contributor to the persistent "illness" rumors:

  • The Pearland Oral Cancer Survivor: Several reports detail the story of a Pearland, Texas, resident named Sue Gordon who successfully survived a diagnosis of oral cancer and underwent reconstructive surgery to restore her smile. This individual is distinct from the former Principal Deputy DNI, Susan M. Gordon, whose public biography is not tied to Pearland residency.
  • The Ovarian Cancer Survivor: Other online resources mention a "Susan" or "Sue Gordon" who was diagnosed with stage 3C ovarian cancer and is involved with a gynecologic cancer support organization. Again, this appears to be a separate individual, demonstrating the common confusion that arises when a high-profile name is involved in a sensitive topic like health.

It is the former Principal Deputy DNI, Susan M. Gordon, whose past, high-profile cancer diagnosis is the true source of the online search query. Her transparency about the illness that derailed her potential political run is what keeps the question of her health in the public eye.

Susan M. Gordon’s Current Professional Status and Activities

Far from being sidelined by illness, Sue Gordon’s professional life in late 2025 and 2026 is robust and deeply influential. Her current activities demonstrate her continued commitment to national security and her role as a trusted voice on strategy, innovation, and leadership.

Advisory Roles in Tech and Defense

Following her departure from the PDDNI role, Gordon transitioned into a highly sought-after advisory and board member capacity, leveraging her decades of experience in the Intelligence Community. Her current roles include:

  • DTEX Systems: She serves as a strategic advisor for DTEX Systems, a global leader in insider risk management and security.
  • CACI International: Gordon is a Director at CACI International, a major information technology and defense contractor, where she helps provide expertise on enterprise security and technology solutions.
  • MITRE Corporation: She continues to serve as a member of The MITRE Corporation’s Board of Trustees, contributing to the organization's work in solving problems for a safer world.

Engagement in National Security Dialogue

In addition to her corporate roles, Gordon remains a prominent voice in the national security dialogue. She is a Distinguished Fellow at organizations like Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) and the Hoover Institution. Her commentary is regularly featured in major media and intelligence publications, where she discusses critical issues such as the future of intelligence, the geopolitical impact of emerging technologies, and the need for innovation in the Intelligence Community.

Her continued, active engagement in these high-level advisory and public forums is the clearest and most recent indication of her current health status, confirming that she is well and fully engaged in her post-government career.

Conclusion: The Resilience of a National Security Leader

The answer to the question "is Sue Gordon ill?" is a resounding no, based on her current, very public, and active professional life in December 2025. The curiosity stems from her past, courageous revelation of a cancer diagnosis that she overcame, a testament to the same resilience she exhibited throughout her career at the CIA and as PDDNI. Susan M. Gordon's story is one of a leader who faced a major personal challenge and has emerged to continue shaping the landscape of national security and technology, maintaining her status as one of the nation's most respected intelligence professionals.

is sue gordon ill
is sue gordon ill

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