The Reverend Jesse Jackson, a prominent figure in the American Civil Rights Movement and a two-time presidential candidate, died Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. His passing marks the end of an era for those who fought for racial equality and social justice in the United States and beyond.
“With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson,” his family announced in a statement posted to Instagram, confirming he died Tuesday morning “surrounded by his family.”
The family’s statement continued, “Our father was a loving leader, not just for our family, but for the oppressed, the voiceless and the marginalized around the world.” No cause of death was immediately disclosed.
The family shared that Jackson was embraced by the world, and in turn, the world became part of their extended family. They highlighted his “unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights” and his contribution to “forging a global movement for freedom and dignity.”
Jackson was a tireless advocate for change, amplifying the voices of the unheard. From his presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register to vote, he left an indelible mark on history.
The activist revealed a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2017, having received treatment as an outpatient at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago for at least two years prior to publicly sharing the information.
The iconic civil rights leader officially stepped down from his leadership role at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, an organization he founded in 1971 to advocate for civil rights and international justice, in 2023.
Jackson founded Operation PUSH in 1971, three years after witnessing the assassination of his fellow activist, Martin Luther King Jr., in Memphis.
In 1996, the organization became the Rainbow PUSH Coalition following a merger with The National Rainbow Coalition. The group’s mission is to protect, defend, and advance civil rights, and it defines itself as a multi-racial, multi-issue, progressive, and international organization seeking social change.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, to a single mother, Jackson announced his illness in November 2017, acknowledging that completing his daily activities had develop into increasingly challenging.
In November, Jackson was hospitalized for treatment related to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare and particularly severe neurodegenerative disease, according to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
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