Civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, 84, has been hospitalized as he continues treatment for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurological disorder, according to statements from his family and close aides. Recent speculation surrounding Jackson’s condition prompted his family to clarify that he is not on life support and is breathing on his own, emphasizing that while his health challenges are serious, he remains in stable condition under medical care.
Jackson, the longtime leader of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, has been living with PSP since publicly revealing his diagnosis in 2017. The disease affects movement, balance, speech, and swallowing, and often requires ongoing medical supervision as it progresses.
Sources close to the family said Jackson was admitted to the hospital for monitoring related to complications from the condition. He was reportedly treated in intensive care earlier during his stay but has since been transitioned out of critical care, with doctors continuing to evaluate his long-term treatment needs. Family members expressed gratitude for the outpouring of prayers and support from across the country, particularly from leaders in the civil rights, political, and faith communities.
They asked the public to respect Jackson’s privacy while reaffirming his enduring legacy as one of the most influential voices in American history.Over the past six decades, Rev. Jackson has been a central figure in the fight for racial justice, economic equality, and voting rights, working alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and later running for president in 1984 and 1988. Despite declining health in recent years, he has remained a symbol of perseverance and advocacy.The Rainbow PUSH Coalition said it will continue its work in Jackson’s honor while keeping supporters updated as appropriate.
(Photo by Unique Nicole/Getty Images)
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