The Reverend Jesse Jackson passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the age of 84, after a long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Jackson, widely recognized as a leading Black American voice between the eras of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama, was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

His daughter, Santita Jackson, confirmed the news to the Associated Press.

Motown founder Berry Gordy paid tribute, describing Jackson as “a force of history — a moral voice, a builder of bridges, and a champion for those whose voices were too often ignored.”

He recalled Jackson’s pivotal role in bringing Dr. King to Detroit’s Hitsville in 1963, strengthening the bond between music, civil rights, and social activism.

Jackson’s journey into activism began in 1963 when he attended Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. He later led the SCLC’s Operation Breadbasket in Chicago and founded PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity) after leaving the SCLC in 1971, focusing on minority employment and voter empowerment.

Jackson made history with his presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, mobilizing millions and establishing a blueprint for Black political engagement nationwide.

Throughout his life, Jackson championed justice, equality, and civil rights, receiving numerous accolades including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000 and multiple Grammy nominations, winning in 1989 for his spoken word recording “Speech by Rev. Jesse Jackson [July 27th].”

He is survived by his wife Jacqueline and six children: Jesse Jr., Yusef, Jonathan, Jacqueline, Santita, and Ashley. Jackson’s profound influence on civil rights, politics, and culture ensures his legacy will endure for generations.