The Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, a towering figure in the American civil rights movement and a two-time presidential candidate, died Tuesday morning in Chicago, his family announced. He was 84 years old.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.,” read a statement released by the family. “He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family.”
Jackson’s death marks the loss of a pivotal leader who marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr., championed voting rights, and challenged corporate America to address issues of diversity and inclusion. He was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder similar to Parkinson’s disease, in April and had been hospitalized since November, according to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Throughout his decades-long career, Jackson became known for his impassioned oratory and his ability to mobilize grassroots support. He founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, continuing his advocacy for social justice and equality. His presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, while ultimately unsuccessful, broke barriers and inspired a generation of African American voters.
The family statement highlighted Jackson’s dedication to uplifting the marginalized. “His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity. A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the voiceless from his Presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register to vote – leaving an indelible mark on history.”
Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline. their children Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, and Jacqueline; daughter 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.
“Our father was a servant leader – not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the family statement continued. “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.”
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition announced that public observances will be held in Chicago, with details regarding services to be released at a later date. Jackson’s passing comes at a time of renewed debate over voting rights and increasing concerns about white nationalism, issues he dedicated his life to combating.
