For more than five decades, Jesse Jackson stood at the forefront of America’s civil rights movement, blending faith, activism, and politics into a lifelong call for justice. The Baptist minister and two-time presidential candidate died peacefully on February 17, 2026, at age 84, surrounded by his family. In a statement, loved ones described him as a “servant leader” whose unwavering commitment to equality and human dignity helped shape a global movement. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and his children, including Ashley Laverne Jackson. Public observances will be held in Chicago, with arrangements coordinated by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the organization he founded to advance civil rights and economic opportunity.

Long before his presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, Jackson worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and was present in Memphis in 1968 when King was assassinated—an experience that deeply shaped his public life. Over the years, he became known for moving between protest lines and political platforms, advocating for voting rights, economic fairness, and social justice. He also faced personal challenges, publicly acknowledging past mistakes while emphasizing responsibility and family support. In recent years, he battled progressive supranuclear palsy, a serious neurological condition. Tributes from leaders, including Al Sharpton, praised his moral leadership and enduring faith. Jackson’s legacy lives on in the movements he strengthened and the generations inspired to continue the pursuit of equality.