A memorial service for the Rev. Jesse Jackson is currently being held at the House of Hope in Chicago. The civil rights activist died on February 17 at the age of 84 after battling progressive supranuclear palsy.PSP), a rare neurological disease.
His children shared the news on Instagram, writing, “Our dad was a servant leader—not just to our family, but to the oppressed, the voiceless, and the overlooked around the world.”
“We shared him with the world, and in return the world became part of our family. His unwavering belief in justice, equality and love inspired millions, and we ask that you honor his memory by continuing to fight for the values by which he lived.”
Also read: Jesse Jackson Funeral at Chicago’s House of Hope: Full Schedule, Speakers and Performers
Jesse Jackson’s wife
Jesse Jackson married Jacqueline Lavinia Brown Jackson for 63 years. The couple met at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College in the early 1960s and married in December 1962. Later they moved to Chicago.
Jackie Jackson was also a long-time activist. In 2001, she was arrested in Puerto Rico and jailed for ten days for protesting the naval bombing of Vieques.
In 2019, she published her first book, “Love You, Miss You, Don’t Forget to Pray: Letters to a Son in Prison,” a collection of letters written to her son, Jesse Jackson Jr., during his 30-month incarceration.
Jesse Jackson’s children
Jesse and Jacqueline Jackson had five children:
- Santita Jackson (born 1963): Television host, singer and YouTube creator. She sang the national anthem at Bill Clinton’s 1997 inauguration and hosts The Santita Jackson Show on YouTube.
- Jesse Jackson Jr. (born 1965): Former U.S. Representative from Illinois (1995-2012). He has two children: Jesse Jackson III (“Tre”) and Jessica Jackson (from his marriage to Sandy Jackson, whom he divorced in 2018).
- Jonathan Luther Jackson (born 1966): Current United States Congressman and public servant.
- Yusef DuBois Jackson (b. 1970): Chief Operating Officer of the Rainbow PUSH Alliance; Skye Jackson is the father of at least one daughter.
- Jacqueline “Jackie” Lavinia Jackson (born 1975): Holds advanced degrees, including a PhD in international education policy.
According to USA Today, Jesse Jackson gave birth to Ashley Laverne Jackson in 1999 with Karin Stanley, Washington bureau director of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Ashley has pursued a career as a writer, actor, and producer, including work on the Netflix reboot of “Elseworlds.”
Also read: Reverend Jesse Jackson’s seminal remarks defined his political views
Jesse Jackson’s grandson
Known grandchildren include Skye Jackson, Cassius, Jessica Donatella Jackson and Jesse Louise Jackson III.
