Just In: US Civil Rights Icon Jesse Jackson Dies At 84
Jesse Jackson, a prominent figure in the US civil rights movement of the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 84.
He died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday morning, with family and close friends by his side.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr,” his family announced in a statement.
“He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family.
“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 mobilising millions to register to vote — leaving an indelible mark on history.”
Jackson was a key figure on the front lines of the 1960s civil rights struggle, working closely alongside Martin Luther King Jr.
He was born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, and later rose to prominence as a leader within Martin Luther King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
He was present in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1968 when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
Jackson also sought the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination twice, contesting in the 1984 and 1988 elections.
In 2017, Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and in November 2025, he was hospitalised following complications linked to a degenerative condition.
