US civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., has died peacefully at the age of 84, surrounded by his family.
His family said, “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 honour his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”
Jackson rose to prominence in the 1960s alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fighting for civil rights and equality. He twice sought the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988, using his campaigns to mobilise millions to register to vote.
Despite being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017, Jackson continued his advocacy. He faced a “physical challenge” but remained committed to advancing justice. In November 2025, he was hospitalised for observation after doctors reported he had been diagnosed with a degenerative condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy.
Jackson’s unwavering dedication shaped a global movement for freedom and dignity. His advocacy extended from grassroots organizing to national campaigns, empowering the voiceless and inspiring generations worldwide.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; children Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, Jacqueline, and Ashley Jackson; and his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Burns Jackson; father, Noah Louis Robinson; and stepfather, Charles Henry Jackson.
Public observances and celebration of life events will be held in Chicago, with details to be released by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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