What Happened

The Rev. Jesse Jackson died peacefully on Tuesday morning, February 17, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his family. His daughter, Santita Jackson, confirmed the death in a family statement that read: “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. He died peacefully on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family.”

The family described Jackson as “a servant leader — not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world.” While the specific cause of death was not immediately disclosed, Jackson had been living with Parkinson’s disease since his 2017 diagnosis, and was also treated for progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare degenerative neurological disorder.

Why It Matters

Jackson’s death marks the end of an era in American civil rights activism. For more than six decades, he served as a bridge between the civil rights movement of the 1960s and modern social justice efforts. His influence extended far beyond activism — he was a political trailblazer whose two presidential campaigns in the 1980s opened doors for future Black politicians, including Barack Obama, who acknowledged standing “on his shoulders.”

Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition became a powerful force in corporate America, pressuring companies to adopt diversity hiring practices and work with minority-owned businesses. His famous rallying cry “I am somebody!” inspired generations of Americans to demand dignity and equal treatment. His work in international diplomacy also helped secure the release of American hostages and prisoners in countries including Syria, Cuba, and Yugoslavia.

Background: A Life of Activism

Born in Greenville, South Carolina, on October 8, 1941, Jackson emerged as a civil rights leader while still in college. He was first arrested in 1960 at age 19 while demonstrating to integrate a public library in his hometown. After graduating from North Carolina A&T State University in 1964, he deferred his theological studies to work full-time with Dr. King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Jackson marched with King at Selma in 1965 and became director of the SCLC’s economic arm, Operation Breadbasket, which focused on creating jobs and business opportunities for Black Americans. He was with King on April 4, 1968, when the civil rights leader was assassinated in Memphis, and later claimed King died in his arms.

In 1971, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) in Chicago, focusing on economic empowerment and educational opportunities. He later created the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984, which merged with PUSH in 1996 to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Jackson’s political ambitions culminated in two groundbreaking presidential campaigns. In 1984, he became only the second Black person to seek a major party’s presidential nomination, registering over one million new voters and winning 3.5 million votes. His 1988 campaign was even more successful, making him the first African American to win major presidential primaries. Until Obama’s 2008 victory, Jackson remained the most successful Black presidential candidate in U.S. history.

Tributes Pour In

Tributes from across the political spectrum highlighted Jackson’s lasting impact on American society. President Donald Trump called him “a good man” and “a force of nature like few others before him.” Former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama reflected on how Jackson’s activism “laid the foundation” for Obama’s presidential campaign, stating “We stood on his shoulders.”

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised Jackson’s anti-apartheid work as “a towering contribution to the global anti-apartheid cause.” The NAACP said his passing “marks the loss of a towering moral voice, but the movement he helped build will carry his light forward.”

What’s Next

The Rainbow PUSH Coalition will announce final arrangements for celebration of life services, including public events to be held in Chicago. Jackson’s organization, which he led for decades, is expected to continue his work advocating for economic justice, voting rights, and civil rights under new leadership.

Jackson’s death comes at a time when many of the issues he championed — voting rights, economic inequality, and social justice — remain at the forefront of American political discourse. His legacy institutions and the politicians he mentored will likely carry forward his message of hope and determination in the ongoing struggle for equality.