Chicago, IL – Revered civil rights leader, minister, and global advocate Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84, his family announced Wednesday. Jackson’s death, confirmed in statements released publicly by his family and reported by major news organizations, marks the end of one of the most influential activist lives in modern American history.
Born in 1941 in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson grew up in a segregated America that shaped his lifelong crusade against racial injustice and inequality. He rose from modest beginnings to become a close protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., joining key moments in the civil rights movement, including marches in Selma and the heartbreaking moment following King’s assassination. As a trusted lieutenant in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Jackson later founded Operation PUSH and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to expand civil rights into economic and political arenas.
Jackson was more than a movement organizer; he was a bridge-builder on the national and international stage. In the 1980s, he made history as one of the first African Americans to mount serious bids for the Democratic presidential nomination, energizing millions of voters and carving out space for Black political leadership. Jackson’s campaigns — powerful both symbolically and practically — helped lay the groundwork for future leaders, and his advocacy extended into diplomatic missions across the globe, from negotiating the release of detained Americans to pressing for equitable human rights on the world stage.
Despite health struggles in recent years, including Parkinson’s disease and a rare neurological disorder that confined him to wheelchair use, Jackson remained a respected moral voice. Even into his later life, he appeared at rallies and events, urging continued engagement in the work of justice, equality, and solidarity. He reminded the nation that progress is a daily commitment — not a finished chapter.
Jackson’s legacy extends far beyond headlines or milestones. He leaves behind his wife Jacqueline, their children, and countless individuals inspired by his message of hope and resilience. As his family’s statement urged the world to continue the fight for the values he championed, his life remains a testament to the power of faith, courage, and compassion in pursuit of a more just world
