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Reverend Jesse Jacksonthe civil rights icon who fought for equality alongside Martin Luther King Jr.He died on February 17, 2026. He was 84 years old. During his final months, Jackson had been hospitalized for his condition, a neuromuscular disease called progressive supranuclear palsy.
Jackson’s organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, broke the news of his death in a instagram statement that day, noting that “he died peacefully.”
“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.,” the coalition’s statement read. “He 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. As a tireless agent of change, 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.”
Here’s what we know so far about Jackson’s final months and the cause of his death.
When did Jesse Jackson die?
According to the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s statement, Jackson died on the morning of February 17.
What was the cause of Jesse Jackson’s death?
Jackson’s cause of death was not immediately revealed, but he was hospitalized in November 2025 for a degenerative condition similar to Parkinson’s disease.
Jesse Jackson’s health: everything about his neuromuscular disease
Jackson was diagnosed with a disease known as progressive supranuclear palsy, which resembles Parkinson’s disease, and was hospitalized for the condition in November 2025.
Progressive supranuclear palsy is also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, according to Mayo Clinic. The disease is a rare disease that affects a person’s ability to walk, swallow and move their eyes, and can cause pneumonia and difficulty swallowing. The condition worsens over time and there is no cure.
Despite living with a progressive neurological disorder, Jackson continued to advocate for civil rights in his later years. In August 2021, he was arrested after protesting for Congress to end the filibuster, increase the minimum wage, and protect the right to vote.
The story is developing…
