Rev. Jesse Jackson Passes Away Surrounded by Loved Ones

For more than five decades, Rev. Jesse Jackson stood at the center of America's civil rights movement. On Tuesday, his family confirmed the news that closes a historic chapter.

The longtime activist, Baptist minister, and two-time presidential candidate died February 17, 2026, at 84, according to NBC News. A cause of death was not immediately given.

He is survived by six children.

A Family's Farewell

Jackson's family said he died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

In a statement, they wrote: "Our father was a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world. 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."

From Pulpit to Presidential Politics

Jackson first made national headlines in 1984 when he entered the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. At the time, he was 42 years old and running with limited funds, a small staff, and no early consensus support from Black voters.

As The New York Times reported in 1984, he was not simply a Black candidate — he was widely viewed as a "serious" Black presidential candidate. That shift carried long-term political consequences, energizing voters and reshaping how many Americans viewed Black leadership in national office.

He ran again in 1988, further cementing his place in political history. His campaigns brought issues of racial justice, voting access, and economic inequality into the national spotlight.

Health Battles in Recent Years

In November 2025, Jackson was hospitalized and placed under observation for a neurodegenerative condition, according to NBC News.

His organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, said he had been managing progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP, for more than a decade. He had originally been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, but in April 2025, doctors confirmed the condition was PSP.

At the time, the organization said, "He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson's disease; however, last April, his PSP condition was confirmed. The family appreciates all prayers at this time."

Tributes From National Leaders

Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton responded quickly to the news.

In a statement, Sharpton said, "our nation lost one of its greatest moral voices," and described Jackson as a man who "carried history in his footsteps and hope in his voice."

He added, "Reverend Jackson stood wherever dignity was under attack, from apartheid abroad to injustice at home. His voice echoed in boardrooms and in jail cells. His presence shifted rooms. His faith never wavered."

A Lasting Legacy

Over decades, Jackson built a reputation as a figure who moved between protest lines and political offices. Through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he advocated for civil rights, economic fairness, and expanded political participation.

His 1984 and 1988 campaigns remain milestones in American political history. They helped expand voter engagement and changed expectations about who could compete on the national stage.

Now, the focus turns to the legacy he leaves behind, not only in policy debates and campaign history, but within the family who surrounded him in his final hours.