Rest in Peace, Mr. Jackson! Jesse Jackson dies at 84: Tributes pour in for civil rights icon
- cstone618
- Feb 18
- 16 min read
The Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of the world's best-known Black activists who worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr., died at the age of 84.
The icon of the Civil Rights Movement and beyond was remembered by politicians and prominent activists after it was announced he died "peacefully" on Tuesday morning after a long journey with a progressive neurological disease. Jackson was a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, a two-time Democratic presidential candidate and a mentor to many civil rights leaders.
"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," his family said in a statement.
Tributes to the charismatic movement-builder rolled in from across the political spectrum. Jackson was “a good man" and a "force of nature," President Donald Trump said on social media. Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama said in a statement that "we stood on his shoulders."
Jackson, who lived with progressive supranuclear palsy, continued to advocate for civil rights despite his illness. He was arrested twice in 2021 over his objection to the Senate filibuster rule and appeared but didn't speak at the 2024 Democratic National Convention.
Jesse Jackson died "peacefully" Tuesday morning surrounded by family, according to the organization he founded, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He was 84.
Politicians including Donald Trump and Barack Obama and civil rights peers honored Jackson's life and work in statements on Tuesday.
Jackson lived for over a decade with a neurological condition and was recently hospitalized in November 2025.
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How close did Jesse Jackson come to the presidency?
Jeanine Santucci
Jesse Jackson made a bid for president twice, in 1984 and 1988, running as a candidate in the Democratic primaries. Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush would ultimately win the White House those years.
Jackson became just the second Black person to make a bid for a nomination by a major party, after Shirley Chisholm. Though he never made it to a general election, Jackson is known for inspiring millions to register to vote and helping shape Democrats' values on top issues.
In 1984, Jackson won primaries in five states and secured 18.2% of the total primary vote and 80% of the Black vote, losing the Democratic race to former Vice President Walter Mondale.
His second bid for the Democratic nomination in 1988 picked up even more support. He won 13 state primaries, including a solid pocket of Southern states: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. He doubled his primary votes from his first attempt. Jackson came second in the primaries behind Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis.
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Obamas on Jesse Jackson: ‘We stood on his shoulders’
Christopher Cann and Kinsey Crowley
Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama released a statement celebrating Jesse Jackson’s “lifetime of service” and described the immense impact the civil rights leader had on their lives.
“For more than 60 years, Reverend Jackson helped lead some of the most significant movements for change in human history. From organizing boycotts and sit-ins, to registering millions of voters, to advocating for freedom and democracy around the world, he was relentless in his belief that we are all children of God, deserving of dignity and respect," the statement said.
Jackson and Barack Obama didn't always have a close relationship.
The civil rights activist, a two-time presidential hopeful himself, publicly supported the former president. But during the 2008 campaign, Jackson made some critical comments about Obama that he later apologized for, saying he thought he was off the record.
“Michelle and I will always be grateful for Jesse’s lifetime of service, and the friendship our families share," the Obamas said in their Tuesday statement. "We stood on his shoulders. We send out deep condolences to the Jackson family and everyone in Chicago and beyond who knew and loved him.”
Bill Clinton says Jesse Jackson ‘championed human dignity’
Christopher Cann
Former President Bill Clinton in a statement hailed Jesse Jackson for his "service to humanity" and described his decadeslong friendship with the civil rights leader, whose organizing helped propel Clinton to the White House.
“Hillary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, and give thanks for his long, good life,” the statement said. “We were friends for almost fifty years since we met in 1977 at the 20th anniversary of the integration of Little Rock Central High.”
“Reverend Jackson never stopped working for a better America with brighter tomorrows,” Clinton said, adding that Jackson “championed the concerns of Black, Latino, Asian, and lower income white Americans.”
In 1997, Clinton named Jackson his special envoy for democracy and human rights in Africa, and Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000.
“Hillary and I loved him very much," Clinton said. "Our hearts go out to Jackie, their children and grandchildren, and all the people across America and around the world who were inspired by his service to humanity.”
Mourning a friend and mentor
Sarah D. Wire
Oakland, California, Mayor Barbara Lee mourned her longtime friend and mentor in a statement Tuesday.
"His wisdom, his faith, and his commitment to economic and social justice influenced my political journey and the paths of countless leaders who followed in his footsteps," she said.
Lee said Jackson performed her son's wedding and in December finally got to meet her grandchildren.
"That visit was precious and bittersweet; I knew his time was limited, yet he was fully present − smiling, warm, and clear. We talked about Oakland and his deep connections there, and he conveyed, unmistakably, his enduring love and friendship. For that final gift, I am profoundly grateful," Lee said.
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See Jesse Jackson's most powerful quotes
Melina Khan
Jesse Jackson's decades of activism included a record of profound eloquence.
From participating in protests to his foray into politics, Jackson delivered a number of powerful speeches and noteworthy quotes throughout his career:
"Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up."
This quote is from Jackson's 1988 speech at the Democratic National Convention. While widely circulated online, including by Jackson's own Instagram account, the full quote varies slightly:
"No one should look down on you, but sometimes mean people do. The only justification we have for looking down on someone is that we're going to stop and pick them up," Jackson said during the speech.
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Chicago mayor ‘devastated’ by Jesse Jackson’s passing
Christopher Cann
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson in a statement paid tribute to Jesse Jackson, calling him a personal mentor and freedom fighter with “unwavering courage.”
“I am devastated to lose my mentor and friend, Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr.,” Johnson said in a post on X. “I am personally grateful for Rev. Jackson and his family embracing me and our city with his wisdom and guidance. His friendship, counsel and prayers had a deep impact on my family.”
He added: “Rev. Jackson intimately understood what was at stake in affirming the humanity of working people. He never lost sight that those fighting for justice are entitled to the most basic needs of health and nutrition, housing, education, and jobs in order to achieve their greatest potential. Rev. Jackson held strong to this truth that we all are ‘somebody.'"
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NAACP: Jesse Jackson was a 'towering moral voice'
Christopher Cann
The NAACP in a statement lauded Jesse Jackson as a “transformative leader whose life's work is deeply woven into the history, mission, and enduring impact of our Association and the nation.”
“Rev. Jackson's leadership in advancing voting rights, economic justice, and educational opportunity strengthened the very pillars of our community. Whether challenging racially discriminatory policies, uplifting marginalized voices, or building multiracial movements through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, he forged a path forward to eliminate racial discrimination and ensure full political, educational, social, and economic equality for all,” the group's statement said.
“Rev. Jackson's passing marks the loss of a towering moral voice, but the movement he helped build will carry his light forward," the group added. "His legacy calls each of us to stay committed, stay organized, and remain faithful to the pursuit of justice.”
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National Civil Rights Museum honors Jesse Jackson
Christopher Cann
The National Civil Rights Museum in a statement described Jesse Jackson as a “fearless champion for justice, equality, and human dignity.”
The museum’s array of historic buildings includes the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was fatally shot on the balcony on April 4, 1968. Jackson, then a 26-year-old rising figure in the civil rights movement, witnessed the shooting and for decades has returned to the motel to remember King and his legacy.
“Year after year, he returned not just to remember, but to recommit, reminding us that the work continues,” the museum said of Jackson.
“His voice challenged power. His faith inspired action. His life changed history. We extend our deepest condolences to the Jackson family and to all who carry forward his mission.”
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Jesse Jackson's son recalls his father's final day
Sarah D. Wire
U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson of Illinois shared with CBS that his father Jesse Jackson was surrounded by family in his last moments.
Jackson said his brother former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his mother, Jacqueline Jackson, who had been married to Rev. Jackson for 64 years, were present when his father died around 1 a.m.
In the last 48 hours the family was "just holding his hand, loving on him, talking to him, letting him hear everything, giving all of our expressions, being with my mom," he said. " The family was around his bedside. It was very intimate and personal, and family friends coming by, and (an) overwhelming amount of ministers came by, prayed for us, prayed with us. For that we’re grateful."
“He was ready,” Rep. Jackson said.
Jackson had been hospitalized in November for progressive supranuclear palsy. Rep. Jackson said his last conversation with his father happened around that time because his father lost his ability to speak.
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Illinois governor lowers flags to honor Jesse Jackson
Christopher Cann
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said he is ordering flags to be lowered in honor of Jesse Jackson, who he called a "giant of the civil rights movement."
"He broke down barriers, inspired generations, and kept hope alive," Pritzker said in a post on X, which included a photo of the two men together at an event. "Our state, nation, and world are better due to his years of service. I’m ordering flags to half-mast to honor him. May his memory be a blessing."
Biden: Jesse Jackson was a ‘man of God and of the people’
Christopher Cann
Former President Joe Biden in a statement said he had known Jesse Jackson for decades and hailed the civil rights leader as “a man of God and of the people” who was “unafraid of the work to redeem the soul of our Nation.”
“I've seen how Reverend Jackson has helped lead our Nation forward through tumult and triumph. He's done it with optimism, and a relentless insistence on what is right and just. Whether through impassioned words on the campaign trail, or moments of quiet courage, Reverend Jackson influenced generations of Americans, and countless elected leaders, including Presidents,” Biden said in a post on X.
“Reverend Jackson believed in his bones the promise of America: that we are all created equal in the image of God and deserve to be treated equally throughout our lives. While we've never fully lived up to that promise, he dedicated his life to ensuring we never fully walked away from it either,” he added. “Jill and I are grateful to Reverend Jackson for his lifetime of dedicated service and inspirational leadership. We extend our love to the entire Jackson family, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and all those who counted Reverend Jackson as a mentor, friend, and hero.”
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Jackson's life of activism began in his home town - Greenville, South Carolina
Jesse Jackson's granddaughter mourns civil rights icon
Christopher Cann
Jessica Jackson, the granddaughter of Jesse Jackson, took to social media to mourn her grandfather, posting several photos of the two of them and encouraging others to share stories about the civil rights leader.
"Reverend Jesse Jackson to all but grandpa to me. This feels so surreal, my heart aches," she said on X. "Thankful to have known you in this life time. Grateful that i can still see your face when i look in the mirror."
"Don’t be shy to share stories or moments of when my grandfather came into your life or impacted you in some way," she added. "I’m currently grieving this alone in EU. I really find it beautiful to know he was so much more than just my favorite gossip partner. This space is safe for that."
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Reactions pour in after Jesse Jackson's death
Jesse Jackson praised for his time as DC advocate
Sarah D. Wire
District of Columbia Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton praised Jackson for his civil rights work, including his time alongside her as DC’s shadow senator.
Washington, DC does not get a vote in Congress, but does get “shadow” members of the House and Senate who can advocate on behalf of the area.
Jackson served as shadow senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997. Norton was elected shadow delegate in 1991.
“In his years representing the District, Rev. Jackson stood firmly for D.C. statehood and full self governance. He recognized that the denial of representation to D.C. residents was a civil rights issue at the heart of America’s unfinished democratic promise,” Norton said in a statement.
MLK's son says Jesse Jackson was a 'towering voice'
Christopher Cann
Martin Luther King III, the eldest son of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., praised Jesse Jackson as a “towering voice and a devoted servant of justice.”
“He walked with courage when the road was uncertain, spoke with conviction when the truth was inconvenient, and stood with the poor, the marginalized, and the forgotten when it was not popular to do so. His life was a testament to the power of faith in action—faith that justice could be won, that dignity belongs to every person, and that love must always have the final word,” said a statement from King and his wife, Arndrea Waters King.
“Our hearts are with his family, his friends, and the countless people whose lives were touched by his ministry and movement. We honor his extraordinary legacy and lifelong devotion to civil rights and human dignity. May his memory be a wellspring of strength and courage for all who continue the sacred work to which he gave his life. As he so often reminded us, ‘Keep hope alive.’”
See Jesse Jackson through the years
Lindsey Graham: Jesse Jackson was 'larger-than-life'
Christopher Cann
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican, hailed Jackson as a “larger-than-life figure” who had long worked to improve the country.
“I am sorry to hear of the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a native of South Carolina,” Graham said on X. “He was a larger-than-life figure who passionately pushed for his causes, always striving to make America live up to its potential. He led a long and consequential life, and he will be missed by his family and friends. May he Rest in Peace.”
Kamala Harris recalls her ‘Jesse Jackson for President’ bumper sticker
Christopher Cann
Former Vice President Kamala Harris, in a statement, described Jesse Jackson as “one of America’s greatest patriots” and recalled how after years spent admiring his work, Jackson became a mentor and a friend to her.
“As a young law student, I would drive back and forth from Oakland, where I lived, to San Francisco, where I went to school. I had a bumper sticker in the back window of my car that read: 'Jesse Jackson for President.' As I would drive across the Bay Bridge, you would not believe how people from every walk of life would give me a thumbs up or honk of support. They were small interactions, but they exemplified Reverend Jackson’s life work − lifting up the dignity of working people, building community and coalitions, and strengthening our democracy and nation," Harris wrote on X.
"I was proud to partner with and learn from him on this work throughout my career, and I am so grateful for the time we spent together this January. Reverend Jackson was a selfless leader, mentor, and friend to me and so many others," she added.
"Doug and I are praying for Jacqueline, their children and grandchildren, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, and the millions of people across our country and around the world whose lives he impacted. Today and every day, we will carry forward his call to 'Keep hope alive.'”
Ben Crump says Jesse Jackson was 'unstoppable'
Trevor Hughes
In a statement, civil rights attorney Ben Crump mourned his friend as someone who helped shape his own life. Crump has become the go-to lawyer for Black families seeking justice. Crump said Jackson helped broaden the path for people of color to shape America through politics and public life.
“Rev. Jackson conceived of a more just and inclusive America, believed in it with unwavering faith, and dedicated his entire life to achieving it – all while teaching the next generation how to carry the torch forward," Crump said. "He was an unstoppable and formidable force, proving that no opponent or battle was too big."
SC governor says flags will be lowered to honor Jesse Jackson
Christopher Cann
South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster celebrated Jesse Jackson as a trailblazing civil rights leader and promised to order flags over the state Capitol to half-staff.
“A native son of South Carolina, and an icon of the civil rights movement, the Reverend Jesse Jackson was a prominent voice in our nation’s political and cultural dialogue,” McMaster said in a post on X. “Peggy and I are saddened to learn of his passing.
“At the appropriate time,” he added, “I will direct the flags over the Capitol to be lowered to honor his legacy and memory.”
Hakeem Jeffries says Jesse Jackson was 'the people's champion'
Christopher Cann
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries described Jesse Jackson as a “legendary voice for the voiceless, powerful civil rights champion and trailblazer extraordinaire.”
“For decades, while laboring in the vineyards of the community, he inspired us to keep hope alive in the struggle for liberty and justice for all,” Jeffries said in a post on X. “We are thankful for the incredible service of Rev. Jesse Jackson to the nation and his profound sacrifice as the people’s champion. May he forever rest in power.”
Jesse Jackson's legacy in photos
What to know about Jesse Jackson's family
Melina Khan
Jackson's family includes his wife of 63 years, Jacqueline "Jackie" Jackson, and six children: Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, Jacqueline and Ashley.
Jesse Jackson met Jacqueline Lavinia Brown while both attended North Carolina Agricultural & Technical College. They married in December 1962. At the time, Jackie was 18 years old and two months pregnant with the couple's first child, she told The New York Times in 1987.
Among the couple's five children together is Jesse Jackson Jr., a former Democratic U.S. representative for Illinois. He held that office from 1995 until his resignation in 2012 amid an investigation into his use of campaign funds. He pleaded guilty in February 2013 to misusing campaign funds and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.
The second eldest Jackson son, Jonathan, also has a career in politics. He has served as a U.S. representative for Illinois since 2023.
In 1999, Jesse Jackson fathered a child with Karin Stanford, the director of the Washington bureau of his organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He first publicly acknowledged his daughter, Ashley, in 2001 and apologized for his affair.
Jesse Jackson's 'Green Eggs and Ham' moment
Taylor Ardrey
Since the news of his death, people on social media have been reminiscing about their favorite Jesse Jackson moments in pop culture. Among them is his 1991 appearance on "Saturday Night Live."
On the comedy program, Jackson paid tribute to famed author Dr. Seuss, born Theodor Seuss Geisel, who had recently passed away. He did a skit reading "Green Eggs and Ham," leaving audiences roaring with laughter due to his Southern Baptist delivery of the children's classic.
"His powerful voice brought a whole new flavor to the Dr. Seuss classic, turning a simple children’s story into a parody that was both hilarious and unforgettable," a post on Jackson's official Instagram page said.
Trump says Jesse Jackson was a ‘force of nature'
Christopher Cann
In a lengthy statement, President Donald Trump said he had known Jesse Jackson for many years and described the civil rights leader as “a good man" and a "force of nature."
“The Reverend Jesse Jackson is Dead at 84. I knew him well, long before becoming President. He was a good man, with lots of personality, grit, and 'street smarts.' He was very gregarious - Someone who truly loved people!" Trump said in a post on Truth Social.
“I provided office space for him and his Rainbow Coalition, for years, in the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street; Responded to his request for help in getting CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM passed and signed, when no other President would even try; Single handedly pushed and passed long term funding for Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), which Jesse loved, but also, which other Presidents would not do; Responded to Jesse’s support for Opportunity Zones, the single most successful economic development package yet approved for Black business men/women, and much more," Trump added.
“Jesse was a force of nature like few others before him,” Trump went on to say. “He loved his family greatly, and to them I send my deepest sympathies and condolences. Jesse will be missed!”
MLK's daughter calls Jackson a 'courageous' leader
Christopher Cann
Bernice King, the daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said Jesse Jackson “devoted his life to lifting people in poverty, the marginalized, and those pushed to society’s edges.”
“He was a gifted negotiator and a courageous bridge‑builder, serving humanity by bringing calm into tense rooms and creating pathways where none existed,” King said in a post on X.
She added: “My family shares a long and meaningful history with him, rooted in a shared commitment to justice and love. As we grieve, we give thanks for a life that pushed hope into weary places. May we honor his legacy by widening opportunity, uplifting the vulnerable, and building the Beloved Community. I send my love and prayers to the Jackson family.”
Al Sharpton: Jesse Jackson was a 'transformative leader'
Duane W. Gang
The Rev. Al Sharpton, the civil rights and social justice activist, praised the life of his mentor, Jesse Jackson, in an early morning post on X.
"He was a consequential and transformative leader who changed this nation and the world. He shaped public policy and changed laws," said Sharpton, also a host on the network MS NOW. "He kept the dream alive and taught young children from broken homes, like me, that we don’t have broken spirits."
Sharpton said he prayed by phone with the Jackson family.
What was Jesse Jackson's cause of death?
Jeanine Santucci
Jackson died "peacefully" and surrounded by family Tuesday morning, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition said. His cause of death wasn't specified, but Jackson had been diagnosed with a rare, progressive neurological disorder.
Jackson had progressive supranuclear palsy, the coalition previously said. Known as PSP or Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, it is a condition that affects walking, balance, eye movement and swallowing, according to the Mayo Clinic. Common symptoms include a loss of balance, causing falls that can lead to injury, and an inability to aim or focus eyes.
Jackson was originally thought to have Parkinson's disease and was diagnosed over a decade ago, but his diagnosis of PSP was later confirmed, the Rainbow PUSH coalition announced in 2025. PSP can be confused with Parkinson's because the two share some similar symptoms.
Jackson was hospitalized in November 2025 for observation of his PSP and was later discharged.
Jesse Jackson's life in his native Greenville, SC
Read Jesse Jackson's family statement
Jeanine Santucci
Jesse Jackson's family announced his death Tuesday morning through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the civil rights organization Jackson founded in 1971. He died surrounded by his family, the organization said.
Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; their children, Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef and Jacqueline; his daughter Ashley; and grandchildren.
Read their statement:
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."
Key moments in Jackson's career
Marc Ramirez
Renowned for his ability to weave unity across borders of race, class, gender and religion, Jesse Jackson's legacy is a tapestry of efforts to promote civil and human rights, peace, equality and economic and social justice.
His career spanned activism, politics and diplomacy.
“Even though we face a chilly wind of real meanness, as a body of American people, White and Black and brown, we are going forward," Jackson once said.
“I think people who learned to survive apart must now learn to live together,” he said. “… I want to be remembered as a soldier in that struggle to make America better and the world more secure.”
