Jesse Jackson, the influential US civil rights leader and two-time presidential candidate, has died at the age of 84. He passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning surrounded by his family, according to a statement released by his loved ones.
Born in Greenville, South Carolina, in 1941, Jackson rose to prominence in the 1960s as a key figure in Martin Luther King Jr.’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. He was present when King was assassinated in Memphis in 1968. Throughout his career, Jackson remained a tireless advocate for social justice. He founded two major organisations: Operation PUSH in 1971 and the National Rainbow Coalition in the 1980s, which later merged to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Jackson twice sought the Democratic nomination for president, running historic campaigns in 1984 and 1988. His family described him as a “servant leader” who fought for the oppressed and overlooked, leaving an indelible mark on history through his commitment to justice, equality, and human rights.
In 2017, Jackson announced he had Parkinson’s disease, which he called a “physical challenge.” Despite his diagnosis, he continued his advocacy work. He was hospitalised in November for observation related to a degenerative neurological condition.
His family’s statement honoured his legacy: “Our father was a servant leader—not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world.” Public observances will be held in Chicago. Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, and seven children.
