Rev. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Leader and Two-Time Presidential Candidate, Dies at 84

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr., the veteran civil rights leader, Baptist minister and former presidential candidate, has died at the age of 84. His family confirmed that he passed away peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones.

Jackson was one of the most prominent figures to emerge from the modern civil rights movement. A close ally and protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., he rose to national prominence in the 1960s and went on to become a leading voice for racial justice, economic equality, voting rights and social reform for more than six decades.

Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1941, Jackson became involved in civil rights activism as a young man, organizing sit-ins and economic justice campaigns. He later founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), which evolved into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a Chicago-based organization dedicated to advancing civil rights, political empowerment and corporate accountability.

Following King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson worked to continue the movement’s momentum, advocating for expanded political participation and economic opportunity for marginalized communities. His powerful oratory and the phrase “I Am Somebody” became rallying cries for empowerment.

Jackson made history in national politics when he ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and again in 1988. His campaigns mobilized millions of new voters and expanded the political coalition of the Democratic Party, paving the way for greater diversity in American leadership.

In recent years, Jackson faced significant health challenges, including Parkinson’s disease and later a diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy. Despite these obstacles, he remained an influential public figure and continued to advocate for social justice causes.

Tributes from political leaders, activists and faith communities have begun pouring in, honoring Jackson’s lifelong commitment to equality and human dignity.

He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Lavinia Brown, their children and grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.

Rev. Jesse Jackson’s legacy — as a civil rights organizer, political trailblazer and enduring voice for justice — leaves a lasting imprint on American history.