By Patrick Teah
Chicago, Illinois — February 2026 — The Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., a towering figure in the American civil rights movement and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, has died at the age of 84, his family announced Tuesday.
According to a statement released by relatives, Jackson passed away peacefully Tuesday morning in Chicago, surrounded by loved ones.
“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.,” the statement read.
The family described him as a lifelong advocate for justice, equality and human rights whose work helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity.
“Our father was a servant leader, not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the statement continued. “We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family.”
Jackson rose to national prominence during the American civil rights movement of the 1960s, working alongside prominent leaders and organizing for economic and racial justice. In the decades that followed, he became one of the nation’s most recognizable political and social activists.
He twice sought the Democratic nomination for president, mounting historic campaigns in 1984 and 1988 that broke political barriers and mobilized millions of voters, particularly among minority communities. His bids expanded the electorate and reshaped the national political conversation around inclusion and representation.
Over more than five decades of activism, Jackson championed voting rights, economic empowerment, social justice and international human rights causes. Through his leadership of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he remained an influential voice in American public life, advocating for marginalized communities at home and abroad.
Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Jackson; his children — Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, Jacqueline and Ashley — and several grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Helen Burns Jackson; his father, Noah Louis Robinson; and his stepfather, Charles Henry Jackson.
Public observances will be held in Chicago. The family said final arrangements for a celebration of life service will be announced by the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Jackson’s death marks the end of an era in American civil rights leadership. Supporters across the nation and around the world are expected to reflect on his legacy as a tireless advocate for equality and a steadfast voice for the marginalized.
