Reverend Jesse Jackson, 84, has been hospitalized in Chicago and is "under observation for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)," the Rainbow PUSH Coalition said. He was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease before specialists confirmed PSP last year, a rare disorder that impairs movement, balance and cognition. Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and founder of PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition, stepped down as Rainbow PUSH president in 2023. The family has requested prayers as he continues to manage this long-standing neurodegenerative condition.
Breaking: Rev. Jesse Jackson Hospitalized in Chicago, Under Observation for PSP
Reverend Jesse Jackson, 84, has been hospitalized in Chicago and is "under observation for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)," the Rainbow PUSH Coalition said. He was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease before specialists confirmed PSP last year, a rare disorder that impairs movement, balance and cognition. Jackson, a prominent civil rights leader and founder of PUSH and the Rainbow Coalition, stepped down as Rainbow PUSH president in 2023. The family has requested prayers as he continues to manage this long-standing neurodegenerative condition.
03:52 PM, 11/13/2025Society
Rev. Jesse Jackson Hospitalized in Chicago
Reverend Jesse Jackson, a longtime leader of the American civil rights movement and a protégé of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has been admitted to a Chicago hospital, his organization confirmed Wednesday.
Age and condition: The 84-year-old is "under observation for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)," the Rainbow PUSH Coalition said in a statement posted on its website. Jackson was initially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease; medical specialists confirmed last year that he has PSP, a rare neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, balance and cognition.
Legacy and career: Jackson rose to national prominence in the 1960s after leaving the Chicago Theological Seminary to work alongside Dr. King in the struggle for racial equality. He founded People United to Serve Humanity (PUSH) in 1971 and the Rainbow Coalition in 1984, which later merged into the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Over a six-decade public career he ran twice for the Democratic presidential nomination and helped register millions of new voters.
Recent developments: Jackson stepped down as president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in 2023. The organization asked supporters to keep him in their thoughts and prayers, saying, "He has been managing this neurodegenerative condition for more than a decade. The family appreciates all prayers at this time."
Original post first appeared on Mediaite.