Jesse Jackson scandal resulted in a daughter born out of wedlock — today, she’s all grown up

For more than half a century, Jesse Jackson stood as one of the most recognizable figures in the American civil rights movement. A Baptist minister, activist, and two-time Democratic presidential candidate, he became a defining voice on issues of racial equality, economic justice, and voting rights.

Jackson passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. According to his family, he died surrounded by his wife of 63 years and their children. An official cause of death has not been publicly announced.