Civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson was released from Northwestern Memorial Hospital Monday, teh Rainbow PUSH Institution said, after sources said he was receiving care to manage his blood pressure.
Jackson, 84, a protégé of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., has been under observation for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), the Rainbow PUSH Coalition said in a previous statement. He is currently in stable condition,the organization that Jackson founded said Monday.
Jackson is returning to a residence, a source said.
“Our family would like to thank the countless friends and supporters who have reached out, visited, and prayed for our father,” said Yusef Jackson, son and family spokesperson.
“we bear witness to the fact that prayer works and would also like to thank the professional, caring, and amazing medical and security staff at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. We humbly ask for your continued prayers throughout this precious time.”
A November 16 statement from Jackson’s organization said he was breathing on his own without the assistance of machines and not on life support. A separate source added earlier he had been receiving medication to raise his blood pressure, which is a form of life
Rev. Jesse Jackson, Civil Rights Icon, Dies at 82
Table of Contents
Rev. Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the American civil rights movement, died on November 25, 2025, at the age of 82. His passing marks the end of an era for those who fought for racial equality and social justice. While initially believed to be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, his condition was later confirmed as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) in April of this year.
A legacy Forged in the Civil Rights Movement
During his hospitalization, Jackson remained focused on serving others, with a family statement noting his request for “2,000 churches to prepare 2,000 baskets of food to prevent malnutrition during the holiday season.” This dedication to community upliftment was a hallmark of his life’s work.
Jackson rose to national prominence in the 1960s as a close aide to Martin Luther King Jr. Following King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson emerged as one of the most transformative civil rights leaders in America, continuing the fight for equality and possibility.
Founding Operation PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition
In 1971, Jackson founded Operation PUSH (Peopel United to Save Humanity) as a vehicle to improve the economic conditions of Black communities across the United States. He later established the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984, aiming to secure equal rights for all Americans Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Twelve years later,in 1986,Operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition merged to form the Rainbow PUSH Coalition,solidifying Jackson’s commitment to a broad-based,inclusive movement for social change.
Key Takeaways
- Rev. Jesse Jackson was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, working closely with Martin Luther King jr.
- He founded operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition to advocate for economic empowerment and equal rights.
- Jackson continued his advocacy and community service even during his illness with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP).
This story has been updated with additional information.
Related reading