Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies at 84

Tributes pour in for the longtime advocate who twice ran for president

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Rev. Jesse Jackson, a Baptist minister and longtime civil rights leader 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, 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 organizations, and his 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, known for his tireless advocacy for racial and economic justice. His death marks the passing of a transformative leader who influenced generations of Americans and helped pave the way for future Black political candidates like Barack Obama.

The details

Born Jesse Louis Burns in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson grew up in poverty in the segregated South. He joined the inner circle of Martin Luther King Jr. and worked with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference as a young activist. After leaving the SCLC in 1971, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in Chicago, focused on economic empowerment, and later launched the National Rainbow Coalition. Jackson's activism also extended internationally, as he spoke out against apartheid in South Africa, supported Palestinian statehood, and negotiated the release of hostages and prisoners in countries around the world.

  • Jackson passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • He was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017 and later determined to be living with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare degenerative neurological disorder.
  • Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, marking the strongest performances by a Black candidate at the time.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A Baptist minister and longtime civil rights advocate who twice pursued the Democratic nomination for president.

Martin Luther King Jr.

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

Jacqueline Jackson

Jackson's wife of over 60 years, whom he is survived by.

Jesse Jackson Jr.

One of Jackson's six children, who served as a U.S. Congressman.

Jonathan Jackson

Another of Jackson's children, who currently serves as a U.S. Congressman.

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What they’re saying

“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. 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.”

— Jackson's Family

“He was a man of God and of the people. Determined and tenacious. Unafraid of the work to redeem the soul of our Nation. He influenced generations of Americans and believed deeply in equality.”

— Former President Joe Biden

“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.”

— Vice President Kamala Harris

What’s next

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

The takeaway

Rev. Jesse Jackson's passing marks the end of an era for the civil rights movement, but his lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and empowering marginalized communities will continue to inspire generations of activists and leaders to come.