• Rev. Jesse Jackson, a pivotal figure in civil rights, died at 84, surrounded by family.
• He reshaped Democratic politics with his presidential campaigns in the 1980s.
• Jackson's legacy includes founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and promoting minority rights.
• He conducted significant diplomatic work and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000.
• Jackson battled health issues including Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.

The Rev. Jesse Jackson, an esteemed civil rights leader and former presidential candidate, passed away on February 17 at the age of 84, as confirmed by his family in a heartfelt statement. They noted, "Our father was a servant leader – not only to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world," underscoring his lifelong commitment to justice and equality, which catalyzed a global movement for freedom and dignity. Jackson died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, after a prolonged battle with health issues, including Parkinson’s disease and progressive supranuclear palsy, which had confined him to a wheelchair for several years, according to NPR and Le Monde.

Born Jesse Louis Burns on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson's activism began early, highlighted by his participation in a sit-in at a whites-only public library in 1960. This act of civil disobedience led to his arrest and set the stage for a lifetime dedicated to activism. His close association with Martin Luther King Jr. began shortly after, when he was appointed to lead Operation Breadbasket in Chicago, an endeavor focused on economic justice for Black Americans. Following King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson emerged as a key leader, emphasizing political involvement and community empowerment through the establishment of organizations such as Operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition, according to India Times and NPR.

Jackson's political aspirations were significant as he sought the Democratic nomination for president in both 1984 and 1988, becoming the first African American to make a serious bid for the nomination. His campaigns were characterized by the pursuit of a "Rainbow Coalition," aimed at uniting diverse groups under a common goal of equity and justice for marginalized communities. Despite not securing the nomination, Jackson's efforts to register voters and engage minority communities left an indelible mark on American politics, which he famously articulated during his speeches, including a notable address at the 1984 Democratic Convention, according to Le Monde and India Times.

Jackson's legacy also includes his work in international diplomacy, where he negotiated the release of American hostages in nations like Cuba and Syria. In recognition of his lifetime achievements, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2000. Jackson's later years were marked by health declines, yet he remained active in civil rights advocacy, consistently speaking out against racial injustices and issues surrounding police brutality, highlighting the ongoing relevance of his mission, according to Le Monde and India Times.

Throughout his life, Jackson faced controversies, notably the revelation in 2001 of fathering a daughter with a former staff member, which he publicly acknowledged and accepted responsibility for. He maintained a robust family life, marrying Jacqueline Lavinia Brown in 1962 and raising five children, including two who have followed him into political service. Jackson's multifaceted career, from local activism to national politics, illustrates his profound impact on American society and the civil rights movement as a whole, according to NPR and India Times.