Prominent civil rights activist Rev. Jesse Jackson was released from a Chicago hospital on Monday after receiving medical care for a rare brain disorder. The 84-year-old minister and former presidential candidate was admitted to a Chicago hospital earlier this month for observation related to progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a neurodegenerative condition. His family confirmed his discharge and expressed gratitude for the medical and community support received during his hospitalization.
Rev. Jackson, who has been living with Parkinson’s disease since 2013, was reclassified as having PSP in April 2025. His son and family spokesperson, Yusef Jackson, stated in a statement released through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition that the family appreciates the outpouring of support and prayers from friends and supporters. The coalition, which Jackson founded, emphasized the importance of continued prayers for his recovery.
The longtime activist, who has worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., has faced multiple health challenges in recent years, including gallbladder surgery and hospitalization due to COVID-19. In 2021, he was hospitalized in Washington, D.C., after falling while assisting Howard University students during protests. His legacy as one of the most prominent civil rights leaders in modern American history continues to shape political and social activism.