Legendary American civil rights activist and two-time U.S. presidential candidate, Reverend Jesse Jackson, has died at the age of 84, his family confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday.
Newsonspot reports that according to the family, Jackson passed away peacefully while surrounded by loved ones. They described him as a servant leader whose lifelong commitment to justice, equality, and human rights inspired millions across the world.
“Our father was a servant leader – not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world,” the family said, urging people to continue fighting for the values he stood for.
Jackson had been battling several health challenges in recent years. He was hospitalised in November for blood pressure treatment and had been under observation for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurological disorder affecting movement, balance, and eye coordination. He also revealed in 2017 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Despite his declining health, Jackson remained a revered figure in American and global politics. His 84th birthday celebration in Chicago last October was attended by prominent leaders, including Mayor Brandon Johnson, former Congressman Bobby Rush, and his sons – Illinois Representative Jonathan Jackson and former Representative Jesse Jackson Jr.
The family described him as a tireless change agent who mobilised millions through his presidential campaigns in the 1980s and his efforts to expand voter registration, leaving an enduring legacy in the global struggle for freedom and dignity.
