Jesse Jackson Biography: Age, Civil Rights Legacy, Presidential Campaigns & Rainbow PUSH Coalition

The Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. was one of America’s most influential civil rights leaders, a two-time presidential candidate, and the founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition who spent over six decades fighting for racial equality, economic justice, and human rights. From his early days as a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to his historic presidential campaigns and international hostage negotiations, Jackson’s life embodied the ongoing struggle for social justice in America and beyond. He passed away on February 17, 2026, at age 84, leaving behind a legacy that helped pave the way for future generations of Black political leaders.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Jesse Louis Burns was born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, to 16-year-old Helen Burns and her 33-year-old married neighbor, Noah Louis Robinson . The following year, Helen married Charles Henry Jackson, a post office maintenance worker who adopted young Jesse and gave him his surname . Growing up in the segregated South, Jackson experienced the harsh realities of Jim Crow laws firsthand—he and his mother had to sit at the back of the bus, and his elementary school lacked basic amenities like grass in the yard, consisting instead of sand that turned to red mud when it rained .

Despite these challenges, Jackson showed early promise. His biological father later recalled that even as a toddler, Jesse would declare, “I’m going to lead people through the rivers of the water” . In school, he was elected class president and excelled as an athlete, earning a football scholarship to the University of Illinois in 1959 . However, Jackson left after just one year, transferring to North Carolina Agricultural & Technical College (now North Carolina A&T State University) in Greensboro, where he became deeply involved in the civil rights movement .

At North Carolina A&T, Jackson arrived just one year after the historic Greensboro sit-ins at Woolworth’s lunch counter. He quickly became a student leader, organizing protests to desegregate theaters and restaurants in Greensboro . He graduated with a degree in sociology in 1964 and married Jacqueline Lavinia Brown in December 1962, when she was just 18 years old and two months pregnant with their first child .

Jackson moved to Chicago in 1964 on a Rockefeller grant to study at the Chicago Theological Seminary . Though he deferred his theological studies to work full-time in the civil rights movement, he was ordained as a Baptist minister on June 30, 1968—just two months after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination . He eventually completed his Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary in 2000 .

Career Journey

Early Civil Rights Activism (1963–1968)

Jackson’s civil rights activism began in earnest while he was a student at North Carolina A&T. In 1963, he led protests to desegregate local businesses in Greensboro . The pivotal moment came in 1965 when, motivated by the “Bloody Sunday” confrontation in Selma, Alabama, Jackson drove south to join Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) . There, he met King and asked SCLC co-founder Ralph Abernathy for permission to organize in Chicago, laying the groundwork for King’s Chicago Freedom Movement .

In 1966, at age 24, King appointed Jackson as the first director of Operation Breadbasket in Chicago—the economic arm of the SCLC focused on creating jobs for African Americans through selective patronage campaigns and boycotts . Under Jackson’s leadership, Operation Breadbasket targeted dairy businesses, Pepsi and Coca-Cola bottlers, and supermarket chains, winning 2,000 new jobs worth $15 million annually in new income for Chicago’s Black community within just 15 months . King called Operation Breadbasket SCLC’s “most spectacularly successful program” in Chicago and praised Jackson’s leadership, saying, “We knew he was going to do a good job, but he’s done better than a good job” .

Jackson was with Dr. King at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968, when King was assassinated . His actions in the immediate aftermath remain a source of historical debate, but Jackson maintained that King’s death marked a turning point in his life and ministry.

Operation PUSH and National Leadership (1971–1984)

Following King’s assassination, tensions grew between Jackson and King’s successor at SCLC, Ralph Abernathy. In December 1971, Abernathy suspended Jackson for “administrative improprieties and repeated acts of violation of organizational policy” . Jackson resigned and, just a week later, founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity, later changed to “Serve”) on Christmas Day 1971 .

Based on Chicago’s South Side, Operation PUSH became a powerful force for economic empowerment, using boycotts and corporate negotiations to pressure major companies—including Coca-Cola, Anheuser-Busch, Burger King, Nike, and CBS Television—to hire more Black executives and award contracts to minority-owned businesses . The organization also launched PUSH Excel to keep inner-city youth in school and assist with job placement .

Throughout the 1970s, Jackson expanded his national profile through weekly radio broadcasts, direct action campaigns, and his famous “Saturday Morning Meetings” in Chicago that drew thousands . He became known for his ability to mobilize Black voters and his charismatic oratory, coining phrases like “I Am Somebody” that became rallying cries for the disenfranchised .

Presidential Campaigns (1984 & 1988)

Jackson’s political ambitions culminated in two historic presidential campaigns. In November 1983, he announced his first bid for the Democratic nomination, becoming the first African American to mount a serious nationwide presidential campaign . His 1984 campaign registered more than a million new voters and won 3.5 million votes, capturing 18% of the primary vote and 465 delegates .

His campaign was not without controversy. Jackson faced criticism for using derogatory terms about Jewish people in a private conversation that became public, referring to New York City as “Hymietown” . He initially denied the remarks but later admitted using the slur and offered an impassioned apology at a New Hampshire synagogue, saying, “However innocent and unintended, it was wrong” .

Building on his 1984 experience, Jackson’s 1988 campaign was even more successful. He won 11 primaries and caucuses—including a surprise victory in Michigan that briefly gave him the lead in delegates—making him the first African American to win major presidential primaries . His campaign slogan “Keep Hope Alive” and his Rainbow Coalition message appealed to a broad spectrum of marginalized Americans . Though he ultimately lost the nomination to Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, Jackson’s campaigns fundamentally changed the Democratic Party, expanding its base to include more Black, Latino, and working-class voters .

Rainbow PUSH Coalition and Later Career (1996–2026)

After his presidential campaigns, Jackson merged Operation PUSH with the National Rainbow Coalition (established in 1984) to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in 1996 . The organization continued to advocate for economic empowerment, voting rights, and corporate diversity, with Jackson serving as its president until his death.

From 1991 to 1996, Jackson served as one of Washington, D.C.’s two “shadow senators,” lobbying for D.C. statehood . From 1992 to 2000, he hosted a weekly CNN program, Both Sides with Jesse Jackson, earning $5,000 per week .

Jackson also became known as an international hostage negotiator and unofficial diplomat. His successes included securing the release of Navy pilot Robert Goodman from Syria in 1984, at least 16 Americans held in Cuba in 1984, 700 women and children from Iraq in 1990, three U.S. soldiers held in Yugoslavia in 1999, and two Gambian Americans from prison in 2012 . For these efforts, President bill clinton awarded Jackson the Presidential Medal of Freedom on August 9, 2000—the nation’s highest civilian honor .

Personal Life

Marriage to Jacqueline Jackson

Jesse Jackson married Jacqueline Lavinia Brown in December 1962, when both were students at North Carolina A&T . Jacqueline, born March 7, 1944, in Fort Pierce, Florida, was the daughter of a 15-year-old migrant worker . Throughout Jesse’s career, Jacqueline mostly stayed out of the limelight but became more visible during his presidential campaigns. She was arrested and jailed for ten days in Puerto Rico in 2001 after protesting Navy bombing on Vieques Island .

In 2019, Jacqueline published Loving You, Thinking of You, Don’t Forget to Pray: Letters to My Son in Prison, a collection of letters she wrote to Jesse Jackson Jr. during his incarceration . The couple remained married for 63 years until Jesse’s death in 2026.

Children and Family

Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson had five children together :

Santita Jackson (born 1963): A singer and television personality who performed the national anthem at President Bill Clinton’s second inauguration in 1997. She hosts “The Santita Jackson Show” on YouTube .

Jesse Jackson Jr. (born 1965): Former Democratic U.S. Representative for Illinois (1995–2012). He resigned amid an investigation into misuse of campaign funds and was sentenced to 30 months in prison in 2013 .

Jonathan Luther Jackson (born 1966): Elected as U.S. Representative for Illinois in 2023. He previously served as national spokesperson for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition .

Yusef DuBois Jackson (born 1970): Lawyer and Chief Operating Officer of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition .

Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson (born 1975): Holds degrees in biology, cultural anthropology, and a doctorate in international educational policy .

In 2001, Jackson publicly acknowledged fathering a sixth child, Ashley Jackson (born 1999), with Karin Stanford, a former staff member and director of the Washington bureau of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition . Jackson stated, “This is no time for evasions, denials or alibis. I fully accept responsibility, and I am truly sorry for my actions” . Ashley became a writer and producer, graduating from Spelman College and earning an MFA from the University of Southern California .

Health Challenges

Jackson was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2017 and later with progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative neurological condition similar to Parkinson’s that affects walking, balance, eye movements, and swallowing . He was hospitalized twice with COVID-19 but continued making public appearances and speaking on civil rights issues until his final years . He was hospitalized on November 12, 2025, due to complications from progressive supranuclear palsy and passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026, surrounded by his family .

Controversies

“Hymietown” Remarks (1984)

Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign was marred by controversy when he referred to Jewish people as “hymies” and called New York City “Hymietown” in a Washington Post interview . The remarks caused a significant rift with Jewish communities. Jackson initially denied making the comments and accused Jewish people of targeting his campaign, but later admitted to using the slur and offered a public apology .

Affair and Child Out of Wedlock (2001)

In 2001, news broke that Jackson had fathered a daughter, Ashley, with Karin Stanford, a former staff member . The scandal was particularly damaging given Jackson’s role as a moral leader and minister. Jackson publicly acknowledged paternity and apologized, accepting full financial and emotional responsibility for his daughter .

Criticism of barack obama (2008)

Jackson found himself apologizing to then-presidential candidate Barack Obama in 2008 after making crude remarks about Obama during an off-air moment on Fox News . Despite this tension, Jackson was present at Obama’s victory celebration at Grant Park in Chicago and wept, saying, “I knew that people in the villages of Kenya and Haiti, and mansions and palaces in Europe and China, were all watching this young African American male assume the leadership to take our nation out of a pit to a higher place” .

Relationship with Louis Farrakhan

Jackson’s association with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who has made controversial statements about Jewish people, drew criticism throughout his career . Jackson eventually distanced himself from Farrakhan, but the relationship remained a point of contention.

Awards & Achievements

• Presidential Medal of Freedom (2000): Awarded by President Bill Clinton for his civil rights work and hostage negotiations
• 40+ Honorary Doctorate Degrees: From institutions including Howard, Yale, Princeton, Morehouse, Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, and Hampton universities
• Honorary Fellow of Regents Park College, Oxford University (2007)
• Honorary Fellowship from Edge Hill University, Liverpool
• Inducted into Cambridge Union Society (2010)
• Honorary Doctorate from University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (2010)
• Special Envoy to Africa (1997): Appointed by President Clinton and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright
• Shadow Senator for Washington, D.C. (1991–1996)
• Two-Time Presidential Candidate: First African American to win major primaries (1988)

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“If my mind can conceive it, my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it!” — Jackson’s most famous affirmation, used throughout his presidential campaigns

“My constituency is the desperate, the damned, the disinherited, the disrespected and the despised.” — 1984 Democratic National Convention speech

“Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up.” — On compassion and service

“Hold your head high, stick your chest out. It gets dark sometimes, but morning comes. Keep hope alive.” — His signature closing message

“I was born in a slum, but the slum wasn’t born in me.” — On overcoming circumstances

“Our flag is red, white and blue, but our nation is a rainbow — red, yellow, brown, black and white — and we’re all precious in God’s sight.” — On the Rainbow Coalition

“Both tears and sweat are salty, but they render a different result. Tears will get you sympathy; sweat will get you change.” — On action versus emotion

Favorites

• Causes: Civil rights, voting rights, economic justice, corporate diversity, education equity
• Political Heroes: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela
• Speaking Style: Rhythmic, sermon-like oratory with call-and-response patterns
• Hobbies: Mentoring young leaders, traveling for diplomatic missions, writing
• Sports: Football (played in college), basketball
• Music: Gospel, spirituals, protest songs

Earnings & Net Worth

Jesse Jackson’s net worth was estimated at approximately $4 million at the time of his death . His income sources included:

• Organizational Salary: $120,000 annually from the four organizations he controlled (as of 2001)
• Media Work: $5,000 per week from CNN for Both Sides with Jesse Jackson
• Book Royalties: Author of multiple books including Keeping Hope Alive (1988), Straight from the Heart (1987), Legal Lynching (1995), It’s About the Money! (2000), and What’s Right with America (2006)
• Speaking Engagements: Fees from lectures at major universities and public appearances
• Travel Reimbursements: His organizations spent over $614,000 on travel in one year, partially reimbursed by the Democratic National Committee for voter mobilization efforts

In 1987, the Chicago Tribune reported Jackson family assets between $400,000 and $600,000 (approximately $1.2–$1.7 million in today’s dollars), with many holdings placed in his wife’s name .

Interesting Facts

• Jackson was the first African American to mount a serious nationwide presidential campaign, winning major primaries in 1988
• He successfully negotiated the release of hostages in Syria, Cuba, Iraq, and Yugoslavia
• Jackson popularized the term “African American” in 1988, arguing it had “cultural integrity” and put Black people in their “proper historical context”
• He was present at the Lorraine Motel when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968
• Jackson’s half-brother, Noah Robinson Jr., was referred to as “the Billy Carter of the Jackson campaign” during the 1988 presidential race
• He was arrested and jailed for protesting Navy bombing in Puerto Rico in 2001
• Jackson endorsed bernie sanders for president in 2020, calling him one of the “honors of my life”

Did You Know?

• Jackson took his stepfather’s surname at age 15 but maintained relationships with both his biological father and adoptive father throughout his life
• He was made an honorary fellow at Oxford University in 2007
• Jackson’s 1988 campaign won more than twice the votes and delegates of his 1984 run
• He received over 40 honorary doctorate degrees throughout his career
• The Rainbow PUSH Coalition continues to operate from its headquarters in Chicago’s Kenwood neighborhood
• Jackson’s son Jonathan followed his father’s path into Congress, representing Illinois starting in 2023

Social Media Links

• Official Website: rainbowpush.org
• Rainbow PUSH Coalition: @rainbowpush
• Legacy content available through: Rainbow PUSH Coalition archives and YouTube

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Jesse Jackson’s cause of death?
He died peacefully on February 17, 2026, at age 84 from complications related to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative condition similar to but more aggressive than Parkinson’s, after years of managing the illness.

When and where did Jesse Jackson die?
He passed away on February 17, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, surrounded by family.

How did Jesse Jackson’s health decline in his final years?
Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2017, later confirmed as PSP around 2025; hospitalized in November 2025 for observation, with reduced public activity due to mobility and speech challenges.

What is Jesse Jackson’s lasting legacy?
His work expanded civil rights, empowered diverse coalitions, influenced Democratic politics, and advocated globally for justice—leaving an enduring impact on equality and hope.

Conclusion

Jesse Jackson’s life was defined by courage, moral conviction, and an unyielding push for justice, reshaping America through activism, politics, and inspiration. His passing on February 17, 2026, marks the end of an era, but his call to “keep hope alive” endures. If this biography resonates with you, share it to celebrate his profound contributions.

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