Jesse Jackson, prominent civil rights activist and close associate of Martin Luther King Jr., has died at 84
Jesse Jackson, prominent civil rights activist and close associate of Martin Luther King Jr., has died at 84

Jesse Jackson, the veteran civil rights leader who marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and later reshaped American politics with two historic presidential campaigns, has died at the age of 84.

For more than five decades, Jackson stood at the center of America’s racial justice movement. He was a Baptist minister, political strategist, community organizer and international advocate. His influence extended from the streets of the civil rights era to the national stage of presidential politics.

His death marks the end of an era in American activism.

Early Life and Rise in the Civil Rights Movement

Born Jesse Louis Jackson Sr. on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, he grew up in the segregated South. Raised primarily by his mother, Helen Burns, Jackson experienced firsthand the limitations imposed by Jim Crow laws.

He attended North Carolina A&T State University before moving to Chicago, where he studied at the Chicago Theological Seminary and was ordained as a Baptist minister.

Jackson rose to national prominence as a close associate of Martin Luther King Jr.. As part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), he worked on voter registration drives, economic justice campaigns and the Poor People’s Campaign.

He was in Memphis in April 1968 when King was assassinated, a moment that deeply shaped his public life and long-term commitment to activism.

Founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition

In 1971, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity) in Chicago. The organization later merged into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which became a powerful force in civil rights advocacy.

Under his leadership, Rainbow PUSH pushed corporations to diversify their workforce, expand economic opportunities for Black Americans and invest in underserved communities. The group also championed voting rights, education reform and economic justice.

Jackson led the organization for more than 50 years before stepping down in 2023 following his Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Historic Presidential Campaigns

Jackson transformed American politics when he ran for president as a candidate of the Democratic Party in 1984 and 1988.

His 1988 campaign was especially groundbreaking:

  • He won multiple state primaries and caucuses

  • He finished second in the Democratic delegate race

  • He built a multiracial “Rainbow Coalition”

Although he did not win the nomination, his campaigns expanded political participation among Black voters and other minority communities. Many analysts credit Jackson with paving the way for later generations of diverse political leadership.

Beyond domestic politics, Jackson often acted as an informal diplomat, negotiating for the release of American hostages abroad and advocating for humanitarian causes.

Who was Jesse Jackson? Biography, Wife, Children, Affair, Career & Net Worth
Jesse Jackson

Wife, Children and Family

Jackson married Jacqueline Brown in 1962. Their marriage lasted more than six decades.

The couple had five children:

  • Santita Jackson, a singer and political commentator

  • Jesse Jackson Jr., a former U.S. Congressman

  • Jonathan Luther Jackson

  • Yusef DuBois Jackson

  • Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson

Jesse Jackson Jr.’s resignation from Congress in 2012 amid legal troubles brought renewed public attention to the family.

Despite living in the spotlight, Jacqueline Brown Jackson largely maintained a private role while supporting her husband’s work.

Affair with Aide Karin Stanford

In 2001, Jackson publicly admitted he had fathered a daughter through an extramarital affair with former aide Karin Stanford.

The revelation, involving a child born in 1999, generated widespread controversy and criticism, particularly given Jackson’s role as a minister and moral leader. He issued a public apology to his family and supporters. His wife chose to remain in the marriage.

While the scandal damaged his public image at the time, it did not end his leadership of Rainbow PUSH or his broader influence in civil rights activism.

Health Struggles and Final Years

In 2017, Jackson revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The illness gradually limited his mobility and public engagements.

In 2023, he stepped down as president of Rainbow PUSH, signaling a generational transition within the organization. In his later years, he remained a symbolic presence at civil rights gatherings, even as his health declined.

Jesse Jackson’s Net Worth

At the time of his death, Jesse Jackson’s estimated net worth was between $9 million and $10 million.

His income sources included:

  • Speaking engagements

  • Book publishing

  • Leadership roles in nonprofit organizations

  • Media appearances

Unlike many political figures, Jackson did not accumulate wealth through corporate board positions or large business ventures. His earnings were primarily tied to public service and advocacy.

Legacy

Jesse Jackson leaves behind a complicated but undeniable legacy.

He helped expand the political power of Black Americans, promoted coalition-based politics and pressured institutions to address racial inequality. His presidential campaigns changed what many Americans believed was possible in national politics.

At the same time, his career included controversies and political setbacks.

Still, from marching with Martin Luther King Jr. to reshaping the Democratic Party’s national coalition, Jesse Jackson’s impact on American civil rights and political life will endure well beyond his 84 years.