The Rev. Jesse Jackson, 84, was hospitalized Wednesday for observation as he battles progressive supranuclear palsy, a degenerative brain condition he has managed for over a decade while building his civil rights legacy.
Story Summary
- Jesse Jackson was hospitalized for progressive supranuclear palsy, previously misdiagnosed as Parkinson’s disease.
- The 84-year-old civil rights leader has battled the incurable brain condition for more than ten years.
- PSP causes severe complications, including walking difficulties, swallowing problems, and balance issues that worsen over time.
- Jackson’s family requests prayers as he remains under medical observation at an undisclosed facility.
Medical Condition Confirmed After Years of Misdiagnosis
Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition announced Wednesday that the civil rights leader was hospitalized for observation related to progressive supranuclear palsy.
The organization revealed Jackson was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, but medical professionals confirmed his PSP condition in April 2024.
The 84-year-old has been managing this neurodegenerative disorder for over a decade, demonstrating remarkable resilience while continuing his advocacy work.
JESSE JACKSON HOSPITALIZED: The activist and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition is under observation for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), a rare neurodegenerative disease for which there is currently no cure, the organization said. pic.twitter.com/7CfHc4etMt
— Fox News (@FoxNews) November 13, 2025
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Presents Serious Health Challenges
Progressive supranuclear palsy damages specific brain regions and creates devastating effects on basic bodily functions. According to Mayo Clinic, PSP impairs walking, swallowing, balance, and eye movements while progressively worsening over time.
The condition poses life-threatening complications, including difficulty swallowing and pneumonia risk. These symptoms often mimic Parkinson’s disease, explaining Jackson’s initial misdiagnosis, though PSP typically affects individuals over 60 years old.
Limited Treatment Options Available for Incurable Disease
Medical professionals emphasize that no cure exists for progressive supranuclear palsy, leaving patients and families to manage symptoms through various therapeutic approaches.
Treatment options include physical and occupational therapy, Botox injections, antidepressants, specialized eyeglasses with prism or bifocal lenses, and medications typically used for Parkinson’s disease.
Jackson’s family first noticed symptoms around 2014, three years before his initial Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2017, when he also revealed his father suffered from the same condition.
Legacy of Civil Rights Leadership and Political Achievement
Jackson established himself as a civil rights icon during the 1960s, marching alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and championing equality and justice causes throughout America. His political ambitions led to Democrat presidential nomination campaigns in 1984 and 1988, breaking barriers for African American candidates.
President Bill Clinton recognized Jackson’s contributions by awarding him the Presidential Medal of Freedom in August 2000, the nation’s highest civilian honor reserved for exceptional service to American ideals.
Rainbow PUSH Coalition Continues Advocacy Mission
Jackson founded the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984 before merging it with Operation PUSH in September 1996, creating the influential Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
This organization continues advancing civil rights causes and social justice initiatives under Jackson’s leadership despite his health challenges.
The coalition’s statement requesting prayers reflects the deep respect and concern surrounding Jackson’s condition while maintaining hope for his continued recovery and involvement in their mission.
