Jesse Jackson, an icon of civil rights in the USA, has died
17 february 2026 в 17:13
Reverend Jesse Jackson, a civil rights icon who fought for equality alongside Martin Luther King Jr., passed away on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. In the final months of his life, Jackson was hospitalized due to a neuromuscular disease known as progressive supranuclear palsy.
Jackson’s organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, announced his death in a statement on Instagram, noting that he «passed away peacefully».
«With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr»., - the coalition’s statement read. «He passed away peacefully in the morning hours on Tuesday, surrounded by family».
The statement also noted: «His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity. An tireless agent of change, he amplified the voices of those who could not be heard—from his presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register voters, leaving an indelible mark on history».
Here’s what we know about Jackson’s final months and the circumstances of his death.
According to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s statement, Jackson died on the morning of February 17.
The cause of Jackson’s death was not immediately disclosed, but in November 2025, he was hospitalized due to a degenerative condition similar to Parkinson’s disease.
Jackson was diagnosed with a condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy, which resembles Parkinson’s disease, and he was hospitalized for this reason in November 2025.
Progressive supranuclear palsy, also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a rare disease that affects a person’s ability to walk, swallow, and move their eyes, and can lead to pneumonia and difficulties with swallowing. The condition worsens over time, and there is currently no cure.
Despite living with a progressive neurological disorder, Jackson continued to advocate for civil rights in the final years of his life. In August 2021, he was arrested after protests demanding that Congress end the filibuster, raise the minimum wage, and protect voting rights.
Events are still unfolding…
Jackson’s organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, announced his death in a statement on Instagram, noting that he «passed away peacefully».
«With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr»., - the coalition’s statement read. «He passed away peacefully in the morning hours on Tuesday, surrounded by family».
The statement also noted: «His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity. An tireless agent of change, he amplified the voices of those who could not be heard—from his presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register voters, leaving an indelible mark on history».
Here’s what we know about Jackson’s final months and the circumstances of his death.
According to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s statement, Jackson died on the morning of February 17.
The cause of Jackson’s death was not immediately disclosed, but in November 2025, he was hospitalized due to a degenerative condition similar to Parkinson’s disease.
Jackson was diagnosed with a condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy, which resembles Parkinson’s disease, and he was hospitalized for this reason in November 2025.
Progressive supranuclear palsy, also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, according to the Mayo Clinic, is a rare disease that affects a person’s ability to walk, swallow, and move their eyes, and can lead to pneumonia and difficulties with swallowing. The condition worsens over time, and there is currently no cure.
Despite living with a progressive neurological disorder, Jackson continued to advocate for civil rights in the final years of his life. In August 2021, he was arrested after protests demanding that Congress end the filibuster, raise the minimum wage, and protect voting rights.
Events are still unfolding…
© Smirnova Olga
