Rev. Jesse Jackson Dead at 84: The Controversial Civil Rights Preacher Who Changed America

Rev. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Icon and Baptist Minister, Dead at 84

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of America's most prominent civil rights leaders and a Baptist minister who twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination, has died at the age of 84.

Jackson passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. His family described him as "a servant leader" whose "unwavering belief in justice, equality, and love uplifted millions."

Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, to a single teenage mother, Jackson rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in the American civil rights movement. He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from the Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina in 1964 before pursuing graduate work at Chicago Theological Seminary, where he was ordained as a Baptist minister.

Jackson first engaged in activism when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. launched the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's northern chapter. He was present with King at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, when King was assassinated on April 4, 1968.

After leaving the SCLC in 1971, Jackson founded People United to Save Humanity, followed by the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984. The two organizations later merged to form the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition.

In 1984, Jackson became the first Black person to launch a major presidential campaign when he sought the Democratic nomination. He ran again in 1988 in what was considered a serious bid for the presidency.

Jackson's legacy was not without controversy. In January 2001, he admitted to an extramarital affair with a Rainbow/PUSH staffer that produced a child.

I fully accept responsibility and I am truly sorry for my actions.

Jackson said at the time, pledging emotional and financial support to the child.

In 2017, Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and later with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a related neurological disorder that progressively limited his mobility and speech. One of his final public appearances was at the 60th anniversary commemoration of the Bloody Sunday civil rights march in Selma, Alabama, in March 2025, where he crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge in a wheelchair.

Jesse Jackson's Legacy as a Baptist Minister and Civil Rights Activist

Rev. Jamal Bryant, senior pastor at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, paid tribute to Jackson's impact on a generation of leaders.

While other boys my age wanted to be Michael Jordan, I wanted to be Jesse Jackson.

Jackson is survived by his wife, six children, and multiple grandchildren. Memorial services are planned in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and South Carolina.

The Crusader's Opinion

Jesse Jackson was a complicated man. He marched alongside Dr. King and preached the Gospel from the pulpit, but his personal failings and his willingness to politicize the faith left a stain that cannot be ignored. The church does not canonize men who use their collar as a political tool while breaking their marriage vows behind closed doors. We can acknowledge Jackson's role in fighting genuine racial injustice while being honest that he drifted far from the scriptural principles he claimed to uphold. The measure of a Christian leader is not applause from the world but faithfulness to Christ. Let his life be a reminder: the pulpit is sacred, and God will not be mocked.

Take Action

• Pray for the Jackson family during this time of mourning, and pray for the Lord's mercy on his soul.
• Support Christian ministry and outreach in underserved communities through The Shepherd's Shield.
• Discuss with your church community: how do we hold Christian leaders accountable while extending grace? Start that conversation this Sunday.
• Support faithful Christian ministers who serve with integrity by tithing to your local church and encouraging your pastor.
• Read Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail" to reflect on the biblical roots of the civil rights movement and the call to justice in Christ's name.