Rev. Jesse Jackson dies at 84 after long battle with neurodegenerative illness

The longtime civil rights leader and Rainbow PUSH Coalition founder passed peacefully in Chicago surrounded by family

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s death marked the end of one of the longest and most influential chapters in American civil rights history. His family confirmed this morning (February 17), that the legendary activist, minister, and presidential candidate passed away at age 84 in Chicago. The announcement, shared publicly through family statements and messages from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, described a peaceful passing surrounded by loved ones. After decades of advocacy that stretched from the front lines of the Civil Rights Movement to global humanitarian missions, Jackson’s death resonated deeply across generations.

His family emphasized the immense personal and public role he played during his lifetime. They described him as a “servant leader,” someone who devoted himself not only to the causes of justice and dignity but also to the emotional and spiritual needs of communities worldwide. Their words reflected the breadth of his work and the scale of the lives he touched. The family noted that while they shared him with the world, the exchange created a global extended family that stood with him through triumphs and challenges.

News of his passing quickly circulated across national media and political circles. Organizations, public officials, and peers within the civil rights community began issuing tributes within hours. The tone across reactions was consistent: Jackson’s voice had shaped the country’s moral landscape for more than half a century. His loss was not simply the passing of an iconic figure but the closing of a generational era that he helped define.

Family Statement Highlights His Lifelong Mission of Service

The Jackson family’s statement reflected their father’s mission and philosophy, offering one of the clearest portraits of how they understood his legacy. They emphasized his commitment to “the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” words that captured his identity as both a national and global advocate. Their remarks also spoke to the emotional and spiritual burden that often accompanies such work, acknowledging the personal sacrifices that came with his international presence and influence.

The family reiterated that Jackson’s work was driven by an “unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love,” themes that defined his decades of activism. These statements served as a reminder that his legacy was not limited to civil rights victories but extended to the broader pursuit of fairness and humanity across borders. Their emphasis on continuing his values underscored a desire to see his mission carried forward by future generations.

In addition to their public message, his family detailed the environment surrounding his final moments, noting that he died peacefully and in the presence of his loved ones. This detail became a key element of the reporting around his death, offering a sense of closure to supporters who had followed his health battles in recent years. It also provided context for the tributes that began pouring in from figures who had long considered Jackson a pillar of moral leadership.

Years of Health Struggles Frame the Final Chapter of His Life

Rev. Jackson’s death followed a long and highly publicized struggle with neurological illness. His health challenges dated back over a decade, beginning with his 2017 public disclosure of Parkinson’s disease. At the time, he revealed he had undergone outpatient treatment at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago for at least two years before announcing the diagnosis. As the years progressed, symptoms gradually intensified, limiting his mobility and altering his public schedule.

His condition was later reclassified in April 2025 as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disorder. Medical professionals identified symptoms consistent with PSP that he had been managing for more than a decade. The updated diagnosis provided clarity regarding the mobility, speech, and swallowing issues that had increasingly impacted his daily life. PSP’s progressive nature also explained the complications that led to repeated hospital visits and the need for ongoing care.

The period leading up to his death included several hospitalizations, most notably in November 2025, when he experienced a high pulse rate and chest-related complications. During that hospitalization, his family addressed media speculation and clarified that Jackson was breathing independently and was not on life support. He was discharged later that month and spent time in an acute nursing facility before returning home on December 22, 2025. His final weeks were spent with in-home health care assistance until his peaceful passing in February.

Rev. Al Sharpton and Other Leaders Reflect on His Legacy

Among the earliest and most prominent tributes was one from Rev. Al Sharpton, who had long been both a mentee and close ally of Jackson. Sharpton described Jackson as “one of the nation’s greatest moral voices,” praising his ability to carry history “in his footsteps” and hope “in his voice.” He emphasized Jackson’s presence in moments where dignity was under threat, drawing a line between Jackson’s life’s work and the broader pursuit of justice in American society.

Sharpton’s reflections also reached back to Jackson’s early days alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., noting how Jackson helped extend King’s mission into urban centers and northern communities. This historical framing underscored Jackson’s pivotal role in ensuring that the Civil Rights Movement became national rather than regional. His connection to King served not only as historical context but as a measure of the gravity of his passing.

Tributes came in swiftly from public officials, including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who called Jackson “an architect of the soul of Chicago.” Civil rights organizations, political figures, and international outlets echoed the sentiment, pointing to the global influence Jackson had achieved through advocacy, diplomacy, and ministry. The consistency across statements underscored the breadth of his impact across political, social, and generational lines.

Rainbow PUSH Confirms Passing and Plans Chicago Observances

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the organization Jackson founded and led for decades, confirmed his passing through a series of social media posts, including messages from its official Instagram account. These posts matched the family’s statement regarding the timing and circumstances of his death and included acknowledgments of his contributions to the organization and the communities it served. The coalition’s involvement in sharing the news highlighted the deep connection between Jackson’s personal life and the institution he built.

Rainbow PUSH also announced preliminary plans for public observances in Chicago. While specific dates and venues were not immediately provided, the organization confirmed that additional celebrations of life would be scheduled and shared through its official website and affiliated platforms. This announcement signaled that the city would become a focal point for national mourning and remembrance.

The coalition’s role in managing memorial plans emphasized Jackson’s enduring influence on Chicago’s civic and cultural identity. His organization had served as a major hub of advocacy for decades, and its leadership now shifted toward managing the legacy of its founder. The expectation of large public gatherings reflected the broad coalition of supporters who had viewed Jackson as a moral compass and community anchor.

His Final Years Marked a Shift From Public Life to Legacy Building

After stepping down from his leadership role at Rainbow PUSH in July 2023, Jackson gradually transitioned into a period marked more by reflection and legacy-building than public activism. His appearance at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, though brief and without a speech, became one of his final major public moments. The video tribute presented at the event underscored his long influence within political circles and affirmed the respect he continued to command.

In 2024, one of his last known public communications was a written message concerning global conflict and student activism. This statement, published by a university outlet, demonstrated his ongoing engagement with social issues despite physical limitations. It was a reminder that his voice, though diminished in frequency, remained anchored in the values that guided his lifetime of work.

His final months were largely private, defined by medical management and family care. Reports indicated that his condition stabilized after his December 2025 discharge, giving him a period of rest at home before his passing. His death, framed within the context of his long-term neurological challenges, became the concluding chapter of a life shaped by public service, personal resilience, and unwavering conviction.

Conclusion

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing marked the end of a historic life defined by activism, ministry, and political engagement. His influence stretched from the marches alongside Dr. King to national presidential campaigns and decades of humanitarian work. The tributes that followed his death reflected the deep respect he earned from communities worldwide and the enduring power of his message. His family’s words, combined with the statements from colleagues and public figures, emphasized both the magnitude of his contribution and the personal sacrifices behind his public mission.

His death also marked a transition point for the movements he helped shape. Rainbow PUSH and other civil rights organizations now carry forward the values he championed, building on the foundation he laid across generations. His passing in Chicago, the city most closely tied to his public life, added symbolic weight to the tributes and memorials expected to unfold in the days ahead.

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s story concludes with the same themes that defined his life: service, justice, and steadfast belief in the dignity of all people. His legacy continues through the countless individuals and institutions shaped by his leadership, ensuring that his contributions will echo far beyond the moment of his passing.

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