Rev. Jesse Jackson, Legendary Civil Rights Leader, Has Died – Latest Details

The civil rights icon and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient will be remembered for standing at the forefront of many defining moments in U.S. history.

Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson has died at age 84 after being admitted to the hospital and placed under observation for an illness. The Baptist minister died on Tuesday, February 17, surrounded by his loved ones.

Family Confirms Death and Details Long Health Battle

Jesse's family confirmed his passing in an emotional Instagram statement, sharing that he died peacefully. Before his death, he had been hospitalized while under observation for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative disease he had lived with for more than 10 years.

He was first diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017 and had disclosed that he was receiving outpatient treatment. He continued his public engagements despite the diagnosis and pledged to use his voice to support efforts to find a cure for the disease.

In 2021, Jesse encountered multiple health challenges, including gallbladder surgery and hospitalization for COVID-19 alongside his wife. Later that year, he experienced a fall at a meeting at Howard University in Washington, D.C., hitting his head and spending the night in the hospital for observation.

In April 2025, his health worsened when doctors confirmed he had PSP. In recent months, Jesse's family, including his sons Jonathan and Jesse Jr., had been providing round-the-clock care in shifts to their father.

Jesse Jr. said the reverend had been struggling to keep his eyes open and was unable to speak, but found ways to communicate with visiting family and friends. "He'll squeeze your hand," he said.

Jesse Jr. later said there had been "significant improvement" in the civil rights leader's condition during the previous 24 hours while receiving medical care, before he ultimately died.

PSP is a rare neurological condition that affects movement, including walking, balance, and eye control. The disorder usually begins when a person is in their 60s and can share some symptoms with Parkinson's disease. Most people diagnosed with PSP develop severe disability within three to five years.

Family Statement Honors His Civil Rights Legacy

In their statement announcing his death, the family said the founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition was deeply devoted to human rights. They said Jesse helped build a global movement centered on freedom and dignity, calling him a "voice of the voiceless" and a "tireless change agent."

They added that he made a lasting mark through his work during presidential campaigns in the 1980s and through his efforts to encourage voter participation.

The family mourned him, writing, "Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world. We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family."

They continued, "His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by."

Standing Ovation Marks His Final Public Appearance

Jesse's last public appearance was in August 2024, where many honored his decades of work and achievements. He appeared on stage in a wheelchair at the Democratic National Convention and received a standing ovation.

Fans took to social media to comment on the moment. One person reflected on the toll of time, "Age and illness can be 'cruel.' Many of us will remember a young, strong, hardworking Jesse Jackson. No one really knows what the future holds."

Another fan expressed gratitude and emotion, "This brings bittersweet tears to my eyes. Thank you, Reverend Jackson, for all that you've done for the overlooked and disenfranchised people in this nation." Some people gushed, "Well-deserved standing ovation."

From Protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. to Founder of a Movement

Jesse rose to national prominence in the 1960s and devoted more than six decades to advocating for racial equality, economic justice, and voter rights. A protégé of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Jesse played a key role in shaping the modern civil rights movement across a wide range of issues, including education.

He ran twice for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 1980s and remained a prominent voice in numerous anti-discrimination efforts, including advocating for affordable housing. He was frequently seen at protests nationwide and continued to hold regular forums at Rainbow/PUSH's headquarters.

In 1971, he established Operation PUSH to address economic disparities in Black communities across the U.S. In 1984, he launched the National Rainbow Coalition, intending to promote equal rights for all Americans, as noted by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

About 12 years later, the two organizations merged to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which traces its roots to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Operation Breadbasket, originally founded by King Jr.

In July 2023, Jesse retired as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, with Rev. Frederick Douglass Haynes III succeeding him.

Jesse is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Jackson, whom he married in 1962, their five children — Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, and Jacqueline — as well as another daughter, Ashley. He is also survived by his grandchildren.

Beyond his family and loved ones, Jesse will be remembered and missed by many who benefit from the rights he championed and for his unwavering commitment to helping others.