Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson has died at age 84, months after going under observation for progressive supranuclear palsy, a neurodegenerative condition he was diagnosed with in 2024, his family confirmed.
Jackson's relatives said he died "peacefully" Tuesday morning surrounded by family.
""Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” said the Jackson family. “We shared him with the world, and in return, the world became part of our extended family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions, and we ask you to honor his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by."
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition said the 84-year-old has experienced symptoms of the disease for more than a decade. He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The condition often causes balance problems and difficulty aiming the eyes.
Jackson rose to national prominence in the 1960s advocating for racial equity, economic justice and voting rights, working closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Jackson twice ran for president, with his first campaign coming in 1984. His second campaign was more successful, as he came in second in the Democratic Party presidential primaries, winning 13 states. The 1988 contest featured several other future Democratic nominees, including Sens. Al Gore and Joe Biden.
Jackson's organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, was founded in 1971. He founded the organization in hopes of improving economic conditions for Black communities across the U.S and seeking protections for Black homeowners, workers and businesses.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition previously said that his son Yusef D. Jackson, who is the group's chief operating officer will continue to lead the organization.
