Legendary civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has died at the age of 84, his family announced, marking the passing of one of the most influential figures in the American struggle for justice, equality and human rights. Jackson’s death was confirmed by his family and the organisation he founded, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which said he died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. The news has sparked an outpouring of tributes from world leaders, activists and former U.S. presidents, all recognizing his decades-long commitment to civil rights and social change. 

Born in Greenville, South Carolina, Jackson rose from the segregated South to become a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement alongside Martin Luther King Jr.. He participated in historic campaigns for voting rights, economic opportunity and racial justice, and was present in Memphis shortly before King’s assassination. Over the years, he built organizations focused on empowering the poor and marginalised, registered millions of voters, and became a two-time Democratic presidential candidate in the 1980s. 

Jackson’s legacy includes a lifetime of activism that spanned continents and generations. He championed multiracial democracy, fought voter suppression, pushed corporations toward fairness, and used his powerful voice to uplift the voiceless. Tributes from figures such as former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama described him as a “true giant” whose work helped shape modern civil rights advocacy. 

Despite health challenges in later years, including a long battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, Jackson remained a symbol of resilience, hope and uncompromising moral leadership. His passing marks the end of an era, but his message that justice must be pursued daily  is expected to continue inspiring activists and ordinary citizens around the wor