Jesse Jackson Biography: Civil Rights Leader, Presidential Candidate, Age, Family, Death & Legacy
Jesse Jackson was a leading American civil rights activist and two-time presidential candidate. Discover his early life, career, family, political legacy, and death in 2026.
Who Was Jesse Jackson?
Jesse Jackson was one of the most influential American civil rights leaders of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. A close associate of Martin Luther King Jr., Jackson rose to national prominence through activism, politics, and grassroots organizing.
Born on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson dedicated his life to racial equality, economic justice, and political empowerment. Over the decades, he became a presidential candidate, ordained minister, television host, and founder of major civil rights organizations.
He passed away on February 17, 2026, leaving behind a lasting legacy in American politics and activism.
Early Life and Education
Jesse Jackson was born Jesse Louis Burns before later adopting the surname Jackson from his stepfather. He grew up during the era of racial segregation in the American South, experiencing firsthand the realities of Jim Crow laws.
A gifted student-athlete, he attended Sterling High School in Greenville, where he excelled academically and in sports. After graduation, he briefly attended the University of Illinois on a football scholarship before transferring to North Carolina A&T State University, a historically Black university.
At North Carolina A&T, Jackson emerged as a student leader. He was elected student body president and became involved in local civil rights demonstrations. He graduated in 1964 with a degree in sociology.
He later enrolled at the Chicago Theological Seminary but left before completing his degree to fully commit to the civil rights movement. He was ordained as a Baptist minister in 1968.
Role in the Civil Rights Movement
Jackson’s national visibility grew through his work with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the organization founded by Martin Luther King Jr.
He participated in key protests, including the Selma to Montgomery marches in 1965. Impressed by his organizational skills, King gave Jackson leadership responsibilities within the movement.
After King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson continued activism focused on economic justice and racial equality. His leadership style combined grassroots mobilization with media engagement, helping him become a prominent public figure.
Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition
In 1971, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity), an organization focused on economic empowerment, voter registration, and corporate accountability.
He later launched the Rainbow Coalition in 1984, promoting a broad alliance of minorities, working-class Americans, and progressive voters. The organization sought to build political influence for underrepresented communities.
Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition eventually merged, strengthening Jackson’s role as a national civil rights advocate.
Presidential Campaigns
Jesse Jackson made history by running for the Democratic presidential nomination twice.
In 1984, he launched his first campaign. Though initially viewed as a long-shot candidate, he finished third in the Democratic primaries.
In 1988, he mounted a stronger campaign and finished second to Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis. His campaign significantly expanded minority voter participation and influenced Democratic Party politics.
Although he never secured the nomination, Jackson’s campaigns were groundbreaking for African-American political representation at the national level.
Political Career and Media Presence
In 1990, Jackson was elected as the District of Columbia’s shadow senator, serving until 1997. While the role was symbolic, it allowed him to advocate for D.C. statehood and representation in Congress.
During the 1990s, he also hosted “Both Sides with Jesse Jackson” on CNN, further expanding his influence into political commentary and media.
Throughout his career, Jackson remained outspoken on issues such as police reform, economic inequality, and voting rights.
Family and Children
Jesse Jackson was the father of several children, including:
- Jonathan Jackson
- Jesse Jackson Jr.
Both followed paths in public service and politics.
Jackson’s family life occasionally drew public attention, but he remained a central figure in American political discourse for decades.
Jesse Jackson’s Death in 2026
Jesse Jackson died on February 17, 2026. His passing marked the end of a political era that spanned more than five decades.
Tributes from political leaders, activists, and civil rights organizations highlighted his role in expanding political opportunities for African Americans and marginalized communities.
Jesse Jackson’s Legacy
Jesse Jackson’s legacy is defined by:
- Expanding Black political participation
- Bridging civil rights activism and electoral politics
- Championing economic justice
- Influencing national Democratic Party platforms
Though opinions about his methods varied, few disputed his impact on modern American civil rights history.
His life reflected the evolution of the civil rights movement from protest marches to presidential campaigns and national political influence.
