(Tuesday, February 17, 2026) – The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a protege of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., passed this morning at the age of 84. His family says Jackson died peacefully surrounded by loved ones. While no official cause of death was given, Jackson had been dealing with health challenges including a rare neurological disorder that impacted his ability to speak and move.
Jackson was a towering figure in the civil and human rights movements leading countless crusades in the U.S. and abroad. As condolences pour in, Jackson is being remembered as a man who dedicated his life to advocating for the poor and underrepresented on issues ranging from jobs, voting rights, education, healthcare and many more.
In a heartfelt statement, the Jackson family described him as a “servant leadere – not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world.” They said his “unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions,” and urged others to “honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”
A Life of Courage and Conviction
Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson grew up under the weight of segregation — experiences that shaped his lifelong commitment to justice. He first rose to national prominence as a young organizer with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and as a close associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..
After Dr. King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson continued to advance the civil rights cause across the United States. In Chicago, he built grassroots movements and, through programs like Operation Breadbasket, worked to secure economic opportunities and fair employment for Black Americans and other marginalized communities.
Political Trailblazer
Reverend Jackson also broke new ground in American politics. He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, becoming one of the first Black Americans to mount major nationwide campaigns. His candidacies not only broadened the national civil rights agenda but also helped register and mobilize millions of new voters. Jackson was also a powerful voice in the District of Columbia pushing for the need to make D.C. the 51st state. He went on to be elected to the first Shadow Senator for DC from 1991 to 1997.
Legacy of Leadership
In addition to his political work, Jackson founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a multiracial civil rights and social justice organization based in Chicago that focused on issues from education and economic equity to voter rights.
Despite facing serious health challenges in recent years — including a long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative condition — Jackson remained a respected voice in movements for racial and economic justice.
Family and Tributes
Reverend Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Jackson, their children — Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, Jacqueline, and daughter Ashley Jackson — and his grandchildren.
Public observances and memorial events will be held in Chicago, with details expected to be announced soon by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
As tributes pour in, leaders and citizens alike are remembering Jackson as a powerful moral voice whose life’s work reshaped American civic life and inspired generations.
