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Every September, the anniversary of 9/11 brings remembrance of the nearly 3,000 lives lost and the countless others forever changed. It also recalls the images and voices that defined that day — faces and names that came to symbolize courage, trauma, and resilience.
More than two decades later, many of those figures remain etched into America’s memory. Some continue to shape public life, while others are honored in remembrance. Here’s where some of the most recognizable figures of 9/11 are today.
Where 9/11’s most iconic figures are today
Rudy Giuliani
As New York City’s mayor on Sept. 11, Rudy Giuliani became a defining face of the city’s resilience, often called "America’s Mayor" for his calm presence in the aftermath.
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People rehearse carrying the flag of the United States before the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)
In recent years, his public image has shifted, but his 9/11 legacy remains. In August 2025, Giuliani was seriously injured in a car crash in New Hampshire after stopping to help a stranded driver. He suffered fractured vertebrae but is recovering. Days later, former President Donald Trump announced that Giuliani will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, citing his leadership during the attacks.
Marcy Borders — "The Dust Lady"
One of the most haunting images of 9/11 was the photograph of Marcy Borders, a Bank of America worker, covered head to toe in dust after escaping the North Tower’s collapse.
Borders struggled for years with post-traumatic stress, depression, and addiction. In 2014, she was diagnosed with stomach cancer, which she believed was linked to her exposure to toxic debris. She died in 2015 at the age of 42. Her image remains one of the most widely shared reminders of the human toll of 9/11.
George W. Bush
On 9/11, President George W. Bush was informed of the attacks while visiting an elementary school in Florida. Days later, he stood at Ground Zero with a bullhorn, telling first responders: "I can hear you. The rest of the world hears you. And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon."
His presidency was defined by the aftermath of 9/11, including the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Since leaving office, Bush has avoided politics and focused on painting, philanthropy, and supporting veterans.
Condoleezza Rice
Rice was serving as national security adviser on 9/11, making her the first to brief Bush on the attacks. She later became secretary of state under his administration.
Today, Rice remains a leading voice in international affairs as director of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. She continues to write and lecture on foreign policy and American leadership.
Joe Pfeifer — FDNY Chief
Chief Joseph Pfeifer was the first senior fire official on the scene and the first to give the order for firefighters to enter the North Tower. His brother, firefighter Kevin Pfeifer, was among those who died when the tower collapsed.
Pfeifer later became the FDNY’s chief of counterterrorism and has written extensively about leadership and resilience. He continues to advocate for first responders and is a visible presence at 9/11 memorial events.
Father Mychal Judge
The chaplain of the New York Fire Department, Father Mychal Judge, rushed to the World Trade Center to pray for victims and first responders. He was struck and killed by debris while administering last rites, making him the first recorded fatality of 9/11.
Judge is remembered as the "Saint of 9/11," honored in annual memorials for his selfless devotion.
Rick Rescorla
Rick Rescorla, a Vietnam veteran and head of security for Morgan Stanley, had long prepared his employees for the unthinkable. When the South Tower was hit, he led thousands of workers down stairwells to safety. He went back in to help more people and did not survive the collapse.
Rescorla’s actions are credited with saving thousands of lives. He has been posthumously honored as one of the quiet heroes of 9/11.
Todd Beamer and Lisa Jefferson
Todd Beamer, a passenger aboard United Flight 93, joined others in storming the cockpit to stop hijackers from reaching Washington, D.C. During his final phone call, GTE operator Lisa Jefferson heard him rally fellow passengers with the words, "Let’s roll."
Beamer was among the 40 passengers and crew who died when the plane crashed into a Pennsylvania field. His widow, Lisa Beamer, became a public figure in the years following, while Jefferson has shared her account as a reminder of civilian heroism on that day.
John Feal
A construction worker at Ground Zero, John Feal was badly injured during the cleanup. He went on to found the FealGood Foundation, which became a driving force in securing health benefits for first responders.
Feal, often joined by comedian Jon Stewart in testimony before Congress, played a crucial role in passing the Zadroga Act, which funds long-term healthcare for those affected by 9/11-related illnesses. He continues to advocate for survivors and rescuers.
By the numbers
Countless others — first responders, survivors, and victims whose names may not be listed here — also carry the weight of 9/11’s legacy and are remembered each year on this day.
- 2,977 people were killed in the 9/11 attacks.
- 343 New York City firefighters died, the largest loss of life for first responders in U.S. history.
- 23 NYPD officers and 37 Port Authority police officers were also killed.
- Thousands more survivors and rescue workers have since been diagnosed with cancers and illnesses linked to exposure at Ground Zero.
The other side:
Not all of 9/11’s most recognized names are remembered without controversy. Giuliani, once celebrated, has faced legal troubles and political divides in recent years.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney became a central figure in debates over the Iraq War and enhanced interrogation policies. Bernard Kerik, New York’s police commissioner on 9/11, later served time in federal prison for tax fraud and other charges.
These legacies reflect the complexity of how history remembers leaders in times of crisis.
Local perspective:
Beyond national figures, governors, mayors, and community leaders also became tied to 9/11. Christine Todd Whitman, then New Jersey governor and later EPA administrator, faced criticism for statements assuring the public that Manhattan’s air was safe to breathe.
Survivors and families in cities like Boston, Washington, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania — where United Flight 93 crashed — continue to hold local ceremonies that preserve the memory of their loved ones.
What's next:
Memorial ceremonies will continue across the country, including at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City.
Survivors and advocates continue to fight for expanded health benefits for those suffering long-term effects. And educators are working to ensure future generations understand not only the attacks, but the human stories behind them.
The Source: This report is based on archival material from the Associated Press, the New York Times. Additional background was drawn from historical accounts and official biographies.