Civil Rights Legend Jesse Jackson Dies at 84 After Years of Health Struggles

After spending decades of his life committed to fighting for civil rights and inspiring those who came behind him to “keep hope alive,” Reverend Jesse Jackson has passed away at the age of 84. The activist, clergyman, and former presidential candidate died in the early hours of Tuesday, February 17, according to his family, who released the following statement: 

“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.”

At the time of publication, the cause of death was not immediately released. However, his family asserts he passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones. 

Jesse Jackson’s Health Struggles

Many will recall that back in 2017, Jackson announced that he had privately been battling Parkinson’s Disease since 2015. The illness kills or impairs nerve cells in the brain, progressively causing damage over time. According to AARP, symptoms of Parkinson’s can include shaking and tremors, slowed movement, muscle stiffness, poor balance and posture, changes in speech (slurring, hesitation, softer tone), difficulty writing, and more. 

Jackson was also unfortunately hospitalized in November 2025, where he was placed under observation for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). “A rare brain disease that affects walking, balance, eye movements, and swallowing,” according to the Mayo Clinic. 

Again, it should be noted that while Jackson has had public health struggles, an official cause of death has not yet been released. 

Jesse Jackson’s Legacy

The Baptist minister has a long history of fighting for those disenfranchised. He was a mentee of the one and only Dr. Martin Luther King, participated in the Selma to Montgomery marches of the Civil Rights Movement of the 60s, and was a leader in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (helping to establish a frontline office in Chicago). 

Jackson later went on to help develop People United to Serve Humanity (Operation Push) in the early 70s, wanting to apply pressure to politicians to do more to improve economic opportunities for the disenfranchised. Around 1984, he resigned from PUSH to start the Rainbow Coalition and run for the office of president of the United States, but both organizations eventually merged in the 90s. 

Speaking of his political runs, Jackson ran for the office of POTUS in both 1984 and 1988, and it was in 88 when the phrase “keep hope alive” was made legendary as he incorporated it into his political campaign. The civil rights giant will be missed.