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Reverend Jesse Jackson, the civil rights icon who fought for equality alongside Martin Luther King Jr., died on February17,2026.

Jackson’s organization, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, broke the news of his death in an Instagram statement that day, noting that he “died peacefully.”

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Civil Rights leader and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the Honorable Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.” the coalition’s statement read.

The statement continued, “His unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights helped shape a global movement for freedom and dignity.”

Here is what we know so far about Jackson’s last months and his cause of death.

When Did Jesse Jackson Die?

Per the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s statement, Jackson died the morning of February17.

What Was Jesse Jackson’s Cause of Death?

A cause of death for Jackson was not immediately disclosed, but he was hospitalized in November2025 for a degenerative condition that is similar to Parkinson’s Disease.

Jesse Jackson’s Health: All About His Neuromuscular Disease

Jackson was diagnosed with an illness known as progressive supranuclear palsy, which bears resemblance to Parkinson’s Disease.

Progressive supranuclear palsy is also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, according to Mayo Clinic.

Despite living with the progressive neurological disorder, Jackson continued to advocate for civil rights in his final years.

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