Jesse Jackson is an American civil rights activist, politician, and ordained Baptist minister. A prominent figure for over seven decades, he began his career as a protégé of Martin Luther King Jr. during the civil rights movement. Jackson also served as a shadow U.S. Senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997 and is the father of former U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. and current U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson.
He is notable for his enduring leadership in the fight for racial and economic justice, having founded organizations like Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition. His presidential campaigns in the 1980s broke barriers, making him a significant and influential voice in American politics and social activism.
Recently, Jackson has been in the news due to concerns about his health. In late 2025, he was hospitalized with a rare condition, leading to conflicting reports about his medical status. Initial headlines suggested he was receiving a form of life support, but his family later issued statements clarifying that he is in stable condition and is not on life support.
Latest related news
- Family shares update after Rev. Jesse Jackson hospitalized with rare condition - NBC 5 Chicago 2025-11-17 09:22 · NBC 5 Chicago
- Rev. Jesse Jackson receiving form of life support, family source tells CNN - WOAI 2025-11-17 08:43 · WOAI
- Rev. Jesse Jackson in stable condition, not on life support, family says - FOX 32 Chicago 2025-11-17 08:38 · FOX 32 Chicago
- Civil-rights icon the Rev. Jesse Jackson is stable and ‘not on life support,’ kin say - New York Post 2025-11-17 08:27 · New York Post
- Family of Rev. Jesse Jackson releases statement on condition following life support reports - Yahoo 2025-11-17 08:27 · Yahoo
- Family of Rev. Jesse Jackson gives update on his condition - CBS News 2025-11-17 08:24 · CBS News
- CBS reports new details on Jesse Jackson’s health - WLTX 2025-11-17 08:13 · WLTX
- Rev. Jesse Jackson on Form of Life Support After Being Hospitalized - TMZ 2025-11-17 08:11 · TMZ
- Rev. Jesse Jackson On Life Support: Report - iHeart 2025-11-17 08:08 · iHeart
- Reverend Jesse Jackson now on life support following hospital admission - 12newsnow.com 2025-11-17 07:54 · 12newsnow.com