Terry Anderson, the former Mideast correspondent for The Associated Press who was held captive for nearly seven years in Lebanon, has passed away at the age of 76 at his home in Greenwood Lake, New York. Anderson, who was kidnapped in 1985 by Islamic militants and released in 1991, had recently undergone heart surgery, according to his daughter Sulome Anderson.

Anderson, who was the Beirut bureau chief for The Associated Press, was snatched off the street by armed men while returning from a tennis match with a colleague. He was held captive for over 2,400 days in various locations in Lebanon, enduring beatings and chains but not torture. The militants who kidnapped him were seeking to pressure the Reagan administration in the Iran-Contra Affair.

After his release, Anderson reunited with his fiance, who had been pregnant when he was taken, and met his young daughter for the first time. He struggled with the psychological effects of his captivity, saying, "I had problems, and it took me a long time to begin to cope with them."

Despite the hardships he faced, Anderson found peace in recent years and focused on humanitarian work with organizations such as the Vietnam Children's Fund and the Committee to Protect Journalists. His daughter emphasized that he should be remembered for his dedication to these causes rather than his time in captivity.

Anderson's story is a reminder of the dangers faced by journalists working in conflict zones, and his resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to many. His legacy as a journalist and advocate for press freedom will not be forgotten.