Jesse Jackson, a seminal figure in the US civil rights movement and a trailblazer in American politics, has passed away at the age of 84. According to his family, he died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by loved ones.
“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 in a statement. “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. We ask that his memory be honoured by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”
Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson was drawn to political activism early in life. He rose to national prominence in the 1960s as a leader in Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and was present with King in Memphis at the time of his assassination in 1968.
A protégé of King, Jackson dedicated his life to empowering African-Americans through political organisation and advocacy. He founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in 1971 and later established the National Rainbow Coalition. These initiatives eventually merged into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a powerful platform for social justice, economic empowerment, and civil rights advocacy.
Jackson made history as the first African-American to move from activism to major-party presidential politics. He ran for the Democratic nomination in 1984 and 1988, inspiring millions with his message of equality, economic opportunity, and social justice. His rallying cry, “Keep Hope Alive,” would later resonate in Barack Obama’s 2008 “Hope and Change” campaign.
Renowned for his oratory skills, Jackson gave voice to the marginalised in America and beyond. He campaigned against apartheid in South Africa, spoke out for oppressed communities in Latin America, and championed human rights worldwide. Even in later years, he remained a tireless advocate for the disenfranchised and politically marginalised.
Despite his achievements, Jackson’s life was marked by personal and family controversies, including allegations involving his son Jesse Jackson Jr., a former Illinois congressman. Nevertheless, he remained a revered figure within the Democratic Party, serving as an elder statesman and moral guide for political activists.
In 2017, Jackson disclosed he had Parkinson’s disease, describing it as a “physical challenge.” His condition was later updated to progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative brain disorder. He was hospitalised in November 2025 for observation, and doctors confirmed the progressive nature of his illness.
American-British playwright Bonnie Greer praised Jackson as “a great man” and “a bridge between generations of the civil rights movement.” She added, “He could see the big picture and the small picture, and he brought them together to envision an America and a world where people could not only be equal but improve at being equal.”
Throughout his life, Jackson championed voting rights, education, healthcare, and economic justice. He mobilised millions to register to vote, ran historic presidential campaigns, and became a symbol of hope, resilience, and perseverance.
Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and their children Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, Jacqueline, and Ashley, as well as several grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Burns Jackson; father, Noah Louis Robinson; and stepfather, Charles Henry Jackson. Public memorials are expected to be held in Chicago, with final arrangements to be announced by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Jesse Jackson’s legacy is defined by his unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity. From marching alongside Martin Luther King Jr. to challenging the political establishment as a presidential candidate, he shaped American society and inspired generations. His passing marks the loss of a civil rights leader, political pioneer, and tireless advocate for a fairer, more just world.
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