The Reverend Jesse Jackson, one of America’s most influential civil rights leaders and a two-time Democratic presidential candidate, died peacefully Tuesday morning surrounded by his family. He was 84 years old. The news marks the end of an era for the civil rights movement and American politics, where Jackson spent more than six decades fighting for justice and equality.
Jackson’s family confirmed his passing in a statement that celebrated his life of service. “Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the family said. “His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity.” The Baptist minister and activist had been battling progressive supranuclear palsy for over a decade, a degenerative disease that affects walking and swallowing. He was hospitalized in November and had previously been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017.
Born Jesse Louis Burns in Greenville, South Carolina in 1941, Jackson rose from humble beginnings in the segregated South to become one of the most recognizable voices in American politics. As a young protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson was present at the Lorraine Motel when King was assassinated in 1968, an event that would shape the trajectory of his life’s work. He went on to found Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition, organizations dedicated to economic empowerment and political mobilization in Black communities. Jackson’s presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 broke new ground, making him the first African American to win significant support in a presidential primary and paving the way for future leaders including Barack Obama.
Throughout his career, Jackson remained a powerful advocate for voting rights, economic justice, and equality for all Americans. He successfully negotiated the release of American hostages from Iraq and Yugoslavia, hosted the CNN show “Both Sides with Jesse Jackson” in the 1990s, and remained active in social justice causes well into his later years. Public observances will be held in Chicago, with future celebration of life events to be announced by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Jackson is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jacqueline, their five children, daughter Ashley, and numerous grandchildren.