Jesse Jackson Passes Away at 84: Activist, Presidential Candidate, Political Power Broker

Civil rights icon Reverend Jesse Jackson has died at age 84, his family announced in a statement confirming he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones on February 17, 2026. Jackson was a pioneering figure in America’s civil rights movement, a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr., and a tireless advocate for racial equality, economic justice, and voting rights. He founded the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 1980s, reshaping U.S. politics and expanding opportunities for marginalized communities. Throughout decades of activism, Jackson helped negotiate international releases of imprisoned Americans and pressured corporations and government to advance civil rights and social equity. Leaders from across the political spectrum have honored his legacy, calling him a unifying force whose life’s work influence continues to shape movements for justice and inclusion.