Rev. Jesse Jackson Dead At 84 Three Months After Hospitalization

Civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson has joined the halls of legends in heaven.

The activist, politician, and ordained Baptist minister took his final breath on Tuesday, February 17, just three months after his fifth hospitalization in five years.

Rev. Jesse Jackson rose to fame as a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement. He was 84 at the time of his passing.

News of Jackson's death came via a press release shared on Instagram. The joint post was dropped by the late icon's Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Jackson Legacy Foundation, his personal IG account, and that of his son and family spokesperson, Yusef Jackson.

The statement confirmed that Jackson "died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family." He was honored for his dedication to human rights, justice, and equality, steadfast efforts that "helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity."

"A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the voiceless-from his Presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register to vote-leaving an indelible mark on history," the statement continued. It added that Jackson was preceded in death by his mother, father, and stepfather.

According to the press release, "Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; their children Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, daughter Ashley Jackson, and grandchildren." His loved ones honored him with a touching tribute, raving about his tireless efforts as "a servant leader."

The Jackson family noted that the civil rights activist not only worked to become the voice of his loved ones but also "the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world." Because they shared Jackson with the world, the world also became a part of their extended family.

On that note, the Jackson family implored fans across the globe to honor the late patriarch's memory "by continuing the fight for the values he lived by." The statement noted that there will be public observances held in Chicago, with more details to come from the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Another post announcing Jackson's death was shared on his personal IG account and that of his son. These posts generated hundreds of comments from fans, who sent their condolences to the Jackson family while honoring the Reverend's legacy.

"Thank you for your service and leadership. Your legacy lives on," someone wrote. Another agreed, thanking Jackson "for walking this earth with courage, conviction, and an unwavering commitment to justice." The sentiments continued, with a third declaring:

"Your legacy lives on, and your sacrifices will never be forgotten."

Celebrities and other public figures also penned their love for Jackson, with Pastor Jamal Bryant dubbing the late icon his "superhero." Singer-songwriter Lalah Hathaway showed her support by dropping a series of red heart emojis, while Bishop William Murphy III added, "Well done."

Although the cause of Jackson's death hasn't been revealed, it came three months after his hospitalization in November 2025. The Blast covered the story, reporting that it marked the fifth time in five years the Baptist minister had experienced a health scare.

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition confirmed the news of Jackson's hospitalization, explaining that he was under observation for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). He was diagnosed with the neurodegenerative condition in April 2025 after initially receiving a Parkinson's disease diagnosis years earlier.

Before his November 2025 trip to the hospital, Jackson underwent a successful surgery for abdominal discomfort in February 2021 and was later hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. In November 2021, Jackson was hospitalized for overnight observation after falling and hitting his head.

As tributes continue to pour in for Jackson, it is important to reflect on how he shaped the civil rights movement. His journey as a civil rights activist began as a freshman at the University of Illinois, where he and seven other students were arrested for sitting at a Whites-only library.

The incident, which occurred in 1960, was dubbed the Greenville Eight protest, and it helped influence the library's desegregation two months later. After transferring to North Carolina A&T State College, Jackson left school to join the civil rights organization founded by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Jackson joined the organization after Bloody Sunday, the March 1965 incident in Selma, Alabama, where state troopers with tear gas and billy clubs attacked peaceful marchers. USA Today reported that this move eventually led to Jackson becoming known as King Jr.'s protégé.

Rest in peace, Rev. Jesse Jackson.