Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies at 84

Tributes pour in for the longtime activist and two-time presidential candidate

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a Baptist minister and longtime civil rights advocate who twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, has died at the age of 84. Jackson's family said he passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by loved ones. Jackson was a key figure in the civil rights movement, working closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and participating in pivotal moments like the Selma marches and the 1963 March on Washington. He later founded the Operation PUSH and National Rainbow Coalition advocacy groups, and his two presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 marked the strongest performances by a Black candidate at the time.

Why it matters

Rev. Jesse Jackson was a towering figure in the civil rights movement and American politics, using his voice and influence to advocate for racial equality, economic empowerment, and social justice over the course of his decades-long career. His presidential campaigns helped pave the way for future Black candidates, and his activism and community organizing left a lasting impact on the country.

The details

Jackson was born Jesse Louis Burns in Greenville, South Carolina, and grew up in poverty in the segregated South. He joined the inner circle of Martin Luther King Jr. as a young activist and participated in key civil rights moments like the Selma marches and the 1963 March on Washington. After leaving the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1971, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in Chicago, focused on economic empowerment. He later launched the National Rainbow Coalition, advocating for a broad alliance of marginalized communities. The two groups eventually merged into the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, which Jackson led for decades before stepping down in 2023.

  • Jackson was born on October 8, 1941 in Greenville, South Carolina.
  • He was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1968.
  • Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988.
  • He served as a shadow senator for Washington, D.C. from 1991 to 1997.
  • Jackson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 2000.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A Baptist minister and longtime civil rights advocate who twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, in 1984 and 1988.

Martin Luther King Jr.

The renowned civil rights leader with whom Jackson worked closely as a young activist.

Operation PUSH

An advocacy group founded by Jackson in 1971, focused on economic empowerment.

National Rainbow Coalition

An advocacy group launched by Jackson that later merged with Operation PUSH to form the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

Barack Obama

The first Black president, whose successful 2008 campaign built on the groundwork laid by Jackson's earlier presidential runs.

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What they’re saying

“He let us know our voices mattered. He instilled in us that we were somebody. And he widened the path for generations to follow in his footsteps and lead.”

— Kamala Harris, Vice President (big1021.com)

“The Reverend Jesse Jackson is Dead at 84. I knew him well, long before becoming President. He was a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and 'street smarts,' while later adding 'he loved his family greatly, and to them I send my deepest sympathies and condolences. Jesse will be missed!”

— Donald Trump (big1021.com)

What’s next

Public memorials are planned in Chicago to honor Rev. Jesse Jackson's legacy.

The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson's life and work left an indelible mark on the civil rights movement and American politics, paving the way for future generations of Black leaders and activists to continue the fight for racial justice and equality.