A Nation Mourns: Rev. Jesse Jackson Dies at 84

The global community is paying tribute to the Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., the legendary civil rights icon, two-time presidential candidate, and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, who passed away peacefully at the age of 84 on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Jackson’s family confirmed he died at his home, surrounded by loved ones, following a long battle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative condition similar to Parkinson’s.

Tributes from across the political and social spectrum are pouring in, led by some of the most influential voices in the civil rights movement who knew him as both a mentor and a friend.

Tributes from Civil Rights Leaders

Leaders from the next generation of activism have spoken out to honor the “transformative” impact Jackson had on the world.

• Bernice King: The CEO of the King Center and daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. posted a poignant photo of her father with a young Jackson. She wrote, “Both now ancestors,” acknowledging the deep, historic link between Jackson and her father’s inner circle during the 1960s.
• Rev. Al Sharpton: In a deeply personal tribute, Sharpton called Jackson a “consequential and transformative leader.” He noted, “He kept the dream alive and taught young children from broken homes, like me, that we don’t have broken spirits. A giant has gone home.”
• Raphael Warnock: The Georgia Senator praised Jackson for showing a generation of Black children what was possible. “As a kid watching him run for President, Rev. Jesse Jackson gave me a glimpse of what is possible and taught me to say, ‘I am somebody!'”

Political Figures React

• President Donald Trump: On Truth Social, the President described Jackson as a “good man” with “street smarts” and “grit.” He noted their decades-long acquaintance and recalled his administration’s collaboration with Jackson on criminal justice reform.
• Barack Obama: The former president called Jackson “a giant who helped bend the arc toward justice,” acknowledging that Jackson’s historic presidential runs in 1984 and 1988 paved the way for his own 2008 victory.
• Eric Adams: The former NYC Mayor said the city “stands on the shoulders of giants” like Jackson, praising his “unshakable belief in justice.”

Legacy and Final Arrangements

Known as a protégé of Dr. King, Jackson’s legacy spans from the Selma to Montgomery marches to his work in international diplomacy, where he successfully negotiated the release of dozens of American hostages and prisoners of war over several decades.

• Chicago Observances: The family has announced that public observances and celebrations of life will be held in Chicago, the city that served as the base for his activism for over 60 years.
• Official Information: Final arrangements will be posted via the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the Jesse Jackson Legacy website.

Jesse Jackson’s Landmark Achievements