Civil rights pioneer Reverend Jesse Jackson has been discharged from a Chicago medical facility where he received treatment for a rare neurological condition, his family confirmed on Tuesday.
Hospital Release and Family Statement
The 84-year-old activist left Northwestern Memorial Hospital on Monday, according to his son Yusef Jackson, who serves as the family spokesperson. Jackson had been admitted to the hospital on November 14 for management of his condition.
Yusef Jackson expressed gratitude toward "the countless friends and supporters who have reached out, visited and prayed for our father", while also acknowledging the medical and security teams at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. The family has requested continued prayers throughout this challenging period.
Medical History and Current Condition
Jackson's neurological journey began in 2013 when he was initially diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a condition he publicly disclosed in 2017. However, in April 2025, doctors revised his diagnosis to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative disorder that shares some symptoms with Parkinson's but follows a different disease progression.
The civil rights leader now requires round-the-clock care at home and faces significant health challenges. His family reports that Jackson uses a wheelchair, has difficulty keeping his eyes open, and has lost the ability to speak.
Legacy and Recent Public Life
Despite his health struggles, Jackson remained active in public life until recently. The two-time presidential candidate and founder of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition continued working and making appearances after his Parkinson's diagnosis, including at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
Though he stepped down from leadership of Rainbow/PUSH in 2023 - an organisation he established as Operation PUSH in 1971 - Jackson maintained regular office visits until several months ago. During his recent hospital stay, he received visits from prominent figures including former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Reverend Al Sharpton, and Judge Greg Mathis.
Family members, including his sons Illinois U.S. Representative Jonathan Jackson and former congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., have been providing care in shifts, supporting the man who worked closely with Dr Martin Luther King Jr and became an internationally recognised voice for civil rights.
