Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson has died at the age of 84, according to a report from BBC News. The outlet included a statement from his family confirming the death and paying tribute to the pivotal figure in U.S. history, revealing Jackson “died peacefully on Tuesday morning.”
No official cause of death has been revealed as of the time of writing.
Jesse Jackson’s Family Confirms Tragic Passing
Jackson is probably best known for his pioneering work alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a leader within the civil rights movement within the United States.
In his life, he also ran for president of the United States twice during his life as a candidate for the Democratic Party in 1984 and 1988.
A statement released to BBC News confirms that Jackson “died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family.”
The statement continues, “His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity. A tireless change agent, he elevated the voices of the voiceless from his presidential campaigns in the 1980s to mobilizing millions to register to vote — leaving an indelible mark on history.”
“Reverend Jackson is survived by his wife, Jacqueline; their children – Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, Jacqueline; daughter Ashley Jackson, and grandchildren.”
It concluded, “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 honour his memory by continuing the fight for the values he lived by.”
Jackson had faced a number of health issues in recent years. In 2017, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Meanwhile, was hospitalised for observation in November 2025, with doctors confirming he had been diagnosed with a degenerative condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy.
Figures Begin to Pay Tribute to Jesse Jackson
American-British playwright Bonnie Greer told BBC News that Jackson was a “great” man and acted as a “big brother to my generation.”
She continued, “He was a man who was able to see the big picture, he was able to see the little picture, he was able to put them together to make the idea of America and the world into what he saw – a world where people can not only be equal, they can get better at being equal.”
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Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson Passes Away at 84 & Tributes Pour In