Rev. Jesse Jackson, one of the most influential voices of the American civil rights era, has been admitted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, according to reports confirmed by his family. Jackson, 84, has been living with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), a rare degenerative neurological illness that affects mobility, balance, and speech.
Family members shared that he was hospitalized on Wednesday and is currently in stable condition, though they did not disclose the specific medical issue that led to his admission. Jackson has publicly acknowledged his PSP diagnosis since 2015, and the condition is often mistaken for Parkinson’s disease due to overlapping symptoms. PSP gradually impacts coordination and essential physical functions as brain cells deteriorate in key motor-control regions.
Despite the challenges of the disorder, Jackson continued his public engagement for years, appearing at events and supporting various social justice efforts. His long-standing impact includes founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, advocating for equality, and playing a prominent role in national politics. Jackson also made two notable bids for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 1980s after working closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
His family has spoken openly about the progressive nature of the illness and the growing difficulties it presents, asking supporters to keep him in their thoughts as he receives medical care.
