Reverend Jesse Jackson, one of the most prominent leaders of the American civil rights movement and a two-time presidential candidate, has died at the age of 84. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
Jackson’s life spanned some of the most transformative decades in modern American history. From marching alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to reshaping national politics in the 1980s, he became a powerful voice for racial equality, economic justice, and political inclusion.
Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson grew up during segregation in the American South. A talented student and athlete, he earned a football scholarship before graduating from North Carolina A&T State University in 1964. But it was the civil rights movement that would define his life.
As a young activist, Jackson joined the movement led by Dr. King and worked closely with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He helped organize boycotts and economic justice campaigns, pushing corporations to hire more Black workers and invest in underserved communities. He was in Memphis in April 1968 during King’s final campaign and was present shortly before King was assassinated — a moment that deeply shaped his future activism.
After King’s death, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in Chicago, later expanding it into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. The organization focused on voter registration, economic empowerment, education initiatives, and social justice advocacy. Jackson became known for combining grassroots activism with political strategy.
In 1984 and 1988, Jackson ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, building what he called a “Rainbow Coalition” of minorities, working-class voters, and progressives. While he did not win the nomination, his campaigns were historic. He won several states in 1988 and finished second in the Democratic race, proving that a Black candidate could compete seriously on a national stage. His campaigns broadened representation within American politics and helped lay groundwork for future leaders.
Over the years, Jackson also played roles beyond electoral politics. He advocated for the release of hostages abroad, worked on international human rights issues, and served as a special envoy under President Bill Clinton. In 2000, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.
In 2008, when Barack Obama was elected president, Jackson was visibly emotional. The moment symbolized decades of struggle and sacrifice by civil rights activists, many of whom had faced violence and discrimination during earlier eras.
Jackson revealed in 2017 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. In later years, he was also diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder. Despite health challenges, he continued to speak publicly about justice and equality whenever possible.
He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Jacqueline, along with their children and grandchildren. Public memorial services are expected to be held in Chicago.
Jesse Jackson’s legacy remains complex but undeniable. He was a bridge between the protest movements of the 1960s and the political shifts that followed. Through activism, faith, and political ambition, he spent a lifetime urging America to confront inequality and strive toward its founding ideals.
