The world bid farewell to civil rights luminary Rev. Jesse Jackson, who passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 84.
Jackson, remembered for his presidential ambitions, departed peacefully with his family by his side, as shared in a heartfelt announcement on Facebook.
His family reflected on his legacy, stating he “amplified the voices of those often unheard,” and he left a “profound impact” on history.
“Our father served as a beacon of leadership not just within our family, but also for the marginalized, the silenced, and the ignored across the globe,” his family expressed.
“We shared him with the world, and in doing so, the world became an extension of our family.”
They urged, “His steadfast conviction in justice, equality, and love inspired millions. We encourage you to honor his legacy by continuing to champion the values he embodied.”
Jackson’s cause of death hasn’t been revealed.
The renowned civil rights leader’s death comes after he was hospitalized in Chicago last November for progressive supranuclear palsy — a rare brain disease.
“He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; however, last April, his PSP condition was confirmed. The family appreciates all prayers at this time.”
On Nov. 16, his family pushed back against “inaccurate media reports” that the activist was on a form of life support after he suffered a significant drop in blood pressure, saying he was still “in stable condition” and “breathing without the assistance of machines.”
“In fact, today he called for 2,000 churches to prepare 2,000 baskets of food to prevent malnutrition during the holiday season,” his son, Yusef, added in a statement.
Jackson, known as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s protégé, had garnered a lifetime of national acclaim for his dedication to civil rights.
He was one of the first major leaders to suggest giving reparations to descendants of black slaves.
In his lifetime, Jackson launched Democratic presidential bids in both 1984 and 1988 and was granted several high awards — including the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Bill Clinton in 2000.
Jackson had been struck by a wave of health issues in recent years.
The reverend announced in 2017 that he had Parkinson’s disease.
In 2021, he underwent gallbladder surgery and was hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19. He also ended up in the hospital after falling and hitting his head during a visit to Howard University.
It wasn’t immediately clear when he was diagnosed with PSP — a rare brain disease that can affect a person’s ability to walk, balance and swallow.
