Jesse Jackson, a prominent civil rights activist and two-time Democratic presidential candidate, died Tuesday at age 84, according to a statement from his family. The cause of death was not disclosed. Jackson had faced serious health challenges in recent years, including a rare neurological disorder.
Jackson rose to national prominence working alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and later founded Operation Rainbow PUSH in Chicago. He played a key role in major civil rights events, including the March on Washington and the Selma to Montgomery march.
BREAKING: Rev. Jesse Jackson, civil rights icon and two-time presidential candidate, dies at 84. https://t.co/LRPCGKQEWp
— NBC News (@NBCNews) February 17, 2026
He ran historic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, becoming the first Black candidate to mount a nationwide Democratic primary bid. Jackson later acted as an international mediator and led high-profile corporate boycotts over discrimination.
In later years, he remained active in media and politics and supported the rise of Barack Obama. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the last major figures of the civil rights generation.
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TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
