#JesseJackson 2026 jzebraa
Reverend Jesse Jackson (1941–2026) was a towering American civil rights icon, Baptist minister, and politician who died on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. He was a central figure in the fight for social justice for over six decades, beginning as a young protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr..
Recent Passing & Legacy
- Death: He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, February 17, 2026, at home surrounded by his family.
- Health: Jackson had battled health issues for several years, including Parkinson’s disease and a rare neurological condition called progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), which was confirmed in April 2025.
- Final Appearance: In 2024, he received a standing ovation at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago during a surprise appearance in a wheelchair.
Key Career Milestones
- Civil Rights Leadership: Jackson marched with Dr. King in Selma in 1965 and was present at the Lorraine Motel when King was assassinated in 1968. He founded Operation PUSH in 1971 and the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984, which later merged to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
- Presidential Campaigns: He ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988. His 1988 campaign was the most successful for a Black candidate until Barack Obama in 2008, winning 13 primaries and caucuses.
- International Diplomacy: Known as a "bridge-builder," he successfully negotiated the release of American hostages and prisoners from Syria (1984), Cuba (1984), Iraq (1990), and Yugoslavia (1999).
- Honors: He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton in 2000.
Personal Life
- Family: He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years, Jacqueline, and six children. His sons, Jesse Jackson Jr. and Jonathan Jackson, have both served as U.S. Representatives from Illinois.
- Education: He earned a degree in sociology from North Carolina A&T State University and later received a Master of Divinity from the Chicago Theological Seminary.
