Civil Rights Icon Reverend Jesse Jackson Dies at 84

CHICAGO — The Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., a titan of the American civil rights movement and a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who twice sought the presidency, died Tuesday morning, February 17, 2026. He was 84 years old.

His family confirmed in a statement that Jackson passed away “peacefully” at his home, surrounded by loved ones. While a specific cause of death was not immediately released, Jackson had battled significant health challenges in his later years, including a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2017 and, more recently, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurological disorder.

“Our father was a servant leader—not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the Jackson family said. “His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions.”

A Life Forged in the Jim Crow South

Born Jesse Louis Burns on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson’s early life was defined by the harsh realities of segregation. Raised by his mother, Helen Burns, and later adopted by his stepfather, Charles Henry Jackson, he grew up walking past well-funded schools for white children to attend segregated, under-resourced facilities miles away.

An exceptional student and athlete, Jackson attended the University of Illinois on a football scholarship before transferring to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. It was in Greensboro that his activism took flight, as he led local protests and sit-ins to desegregate libraries and theaters.

The Torchbearer of the Movement

In 1965, Jackson traveled to Selma, Alabama, to join Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Recognizing the young man’s charisma and organizational talent, King appointed him to lead “Operation Breadbasket,” an initiative that used economic boycotts to pressure white-owned businesses to hire Black workers.

Jackson was standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis on April 4, 1968, when Dr. King was assassinated. In the decades that followed, Jackson became one of the most prominent voices carrying the civil rights torch into a new era. In 1971, he founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in Chicago, which later merged with his National Rainbow Coalition to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Breaking the Presidential Barrier

Jesse Jackson’s impact on American politics was perhaps most visible during his 1984 and 1988 runs for the Democratic presidential nomination. While he did not win the nomination, he shattered previous expectations for Black candidates.

• 1984 Campaign: He registered over one million new voters and won 3.5 million votes, finishing third in the primary.
• 1988 Campaign: He became a frontrunner at several points, winning 11 primaries and caucuses and securing seven million votes.

His 1988 speech at the Democratic National Convention, centered on the refrain “Keep Hope Alive,” remains one of the most celebrated pieces of political oratory in U.S. history. Experts credit his campaigns with laying the groundwork for the eventual election of Barack Obama in 2008—an event that moved Jackson to visible tears as he stood in Chicago’s Grant Park on election night.

International Statesman and Diplomat

Beyond domestic policy, Jackson established himself as a daring international diplomat. He often traveled to high-conflict zones to negotiate the release of prisoners and hostages when formal government channels failed:

• 1984: Secured the release of U.S. Navy Lieutenant Robert Goodman from Syria.
• 1984: Successfully negotiated the release of 22 Americans and 27 political prisoners from Cuba.
• 1990: Traveled to Iraq and Kuwait to secure the release of “human shields” held by Saddam Hussein.
• 1999: Negotiated the release of three U.S. soldiers captured during the Kosovo conflict.

For these efforts, President Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000.

A Final Chapter of Resilience

Even as his physical health declined, Jackson remained a fixture at protests. He championed the Black Lives Matter movement and traveled to Minneapolis following the murder of George Floyd. In his final months, though he lost the ability to speak, he continued to communicate with visitors through hand squeezes—a quiet end for a man whose voice once shook the nation.

He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Jacqueline, and their children. Public commemorations are expected to be held in Chicago.

Sources and Linkks

• Al Jazeera: US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson dies aged 84
• PBS News: The Rev. Jesse Jackson, leader of Civil Rights Movement for decades, dies at 84
• Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies: Joint Center Mourns the Passing of Reverend Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
• The Guardian: Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader, dies aged 84
• National Park Service: International Civil Rights: Walk of Fame – Jesse Jackson
• Britannica: Jesse Jackson | Biography, Accomplishments & Facts