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, who has faced several health challenges in recent years, including hospitalization due to COVID-19 and gallbladder surgery, spent 12 days in the hospital receiving treatment. His son, Yusef Jackson, confirmed the release and expressed gratitude for the medical staff, while stating that Jackson remains in stable condition.
Jackson, a Baptist minister and former U.S. presidential candidate, was admitted to the hospital earlier this month for observation following a diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disease that affects balance, movement, and eye motion. This diagnosis followed his earlier identification with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, which was reclassified as PSP in April 2025. There is currently no cure for the condition, which is more severe than Parkinson’s disease. The news of his hospitalization and release has drawn attention from supporters and friends, who have offered prayers and well-wishes for his continued recovery.
Yusef Jackson, in a statement issued through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a Chicago-based progressive organization founded by his father, expressed the family’s gratitude for the medical staff and requested continued prayers for his father. Jackson, who has been a key figure in the civil rights movement, has a long history of activism, including working alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) during the 1960s. He was instrumental in the Selma to Montgomery marches, which were critical in advancing voting rights for African Americans. After King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson became one of the most prominent heirs to King’s legacy, continuing the fight for civil rights in America.
Jackson’s health issues have continued to affect his public engagements, including a hospitalization in Washington, D.C., in 2021 after falling and hitting his head while helping students protest campus living conditions at Howard University. Despite these challenges, he remains a significant figure in the political arena, having twice run for president as a Democrat in 1984 and 1988. His Rainbow PUSH Coalition, formed in 1996 by merging two groups he had founded—Operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition—continues to be an important force in progressive politics in the United States.
The situation has also sparked discussions about the impact of neurodegenerative diseases on public figures, similar to the experiences of Michael J. Fox, who has publicly shared his journey with Parkinson’s disease, and Montel Williams, who has discussed his own battles with chronic pain and opioid abuse. The medical community has noted the complexity of these conditions, which often require prolonged treatment and can significantly affect a person’s quality of life. Jackson’s case underscores the challenges faced by activists and public figures who must balance personal health concerns with the demands of their roles in society.
As Jackson continues to recover, his family and supporters remain optimistic about his health and the ongoing efforts to support him. The news of his release has been met with positive responses from the public, highlighting the enduring impact of his work in the civil rights movement and his continued influence in American politics and society.