Rev. Jesse Jackson, the pioneering civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and trailblazing two-time Democratic presidential candidate, has died at the age of 84. The Jackson family confirmed his passing in a statement released on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
"With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr.," the family said. "He transitioned peacefully at home in Chicago, surrounded by family and loved ones. Rev. Jackson dedicated his life to justice, equality, and service to humanity. His legacy will endure through generations."
Jackson had been battling Parkinson's disease for more than a decade and had also survived a diagnosis of Stage II colon cancer in 1984. In recent years, he had largely stepped back from public life, though he remained a revered figure in American politics and activism.
Born Jesse Louis Burns on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson grew up in a segregated South and became a key figure in the civil rights movement. He joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) in 1965, working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was present in Memphis on April 4, 1968, when King was assassinated, and he famously held the dying leader in his arms.
Jackson went on to found Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in 1971 and later merged it with the Rainbow Coalition in 1984, creating the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. The organization focused on economic empowerment, voter registration, and social justice advocacy for marginalized communities.
In 1984 and 1988, Jackson mounted historic campaigns for the Democratic presidential nomination, becoming the first African American to mount a serious, competitive bid for the White House. In 1988, he won 11 primaries and caucuses, securing nearly 1,200 delegates and finishing second to Michael Dukakis. His campaigns mobilized millions of new voters, particularly from Black, Latino, and working-class communities, and helped shift the Democratic Party's agenda toward greater inclusivity.
Jackson's famous 1988 Democratic National Convention speech, delivered in Atlanta, remains one of the most powerful in modern political history. He declared, "Keep hope alive," a phrase that became synonymous with his lifelong activism.
Throughout his career, Jackson was a global advocate for peace and human rights. He traveled to Syria in 1984 to secure the release of captured U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Robert Goodman, negotiated the release of American hostages in Iraq in 1990, and worked on prisoner exchanges and humanitarian efforts in various conflict zones.
He received numerous honors, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000 from President Bill Clinton, and was inducted into the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.
Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Lavinia Brown Jackson, whom he married in 1962, five children—Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, Santita, and Jacqueline—and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Tributes poured in from across the political spectrum and civil rights community. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: "Rev. Jesse Jackson was a giant in the fight for equality. His voice was powerful and his courage unmatched. Rest in peace." Former President Barack Obama called him "a tireless champion for justice," while Vice President Kamala Harris described him as "a moral compass for generations."
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. The family requested privacy during this time of mourning and asked that donations be made to the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in lieu of flowers.
Rev. Jesse Jackson's life was defined by unyielding commitment to the principles of equality, dignity, and hope. His work helped reshape American democracy and inspired countless activists worldwide. He leaves behind a legacy of moral courage and transformative leadership that will continue to guide the pursuit of justice for years to come.
