Civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Reverend Jesse Jackson died Tuesday morning at the age of 84. His family and a spokesperson for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition confirmed his passing early today, stating that he died peacefully at his home in Chicago, surrounded by family members.
Jackson had been hospitalized in recent months for observation related to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a degenerative neurological condition. He had previously disclosed a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in 2017.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1941, Jackson began his activist career during the 1960s. He became a close aide to Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and was a key organizer for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Following King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in Chicago, which later merged with the National Rainbow Coalition to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
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Jackson’s political career was highlighted by two historic bids for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988. His campaigns focused on the “Rainbow Coalition,” an effort to unite voters across various racial, ethnic, and social backgrounds, including Black, White, Latino, Asian American, Native American, and LGBTQ communities. While he did not secure the nomination, his 1988 campaign saw him win 13 primaries and caucuses, significantly influencing the Democratic Party’s platform.
Beyond electoral politics, Jackson was known for his international diplomacy, often negotiating the release of American hostages and political prisoners in countries such as Syria, Cuba, and Iraq. From 1991 to 1997, he served as a “shadow senator” for the District of Columbia, advocating for D.C. statehood.
He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and their children. The family has indicated that memorial arrangements will be announced at a later date.
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