Rev. Jesse Jackson was rushed to a hospital late Wednesday over a potential emergency regarding supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder Jackson has suffered with for more than a decade.
The Rainbow PUSH Coalition, which Jackson founded, confirmed the 84-year-old Democrat’s hospitalization in a statement.
“The family appreciates all prayers at this time,” the organization said.
Jackson received a PSP diagnosis in April. He had originally been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
“He has been managing this neurodegenerative condition for more than a decade,” the Coalition released in a statement. “He was originally diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease however, last April, his PSP condition was confirmed.”
Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare neurological disorder caused by damage to nerve cells in the brain that affects body movements, walking, balance, and eye movements, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.
Jackson’s son, Jesse Jackson Jr., confirmed his father’s suddenly hospitalization but offered no additional comment.
The hospitalization marks the latest in a series of health scares for Jackson. In early 2021, Jackson underwent gallbladder surgery. Later that year, he was treated for COVID-19, which included time at a physical rehabilitation facility. He was hospitalized again in November 2021 after a fall that caused a serious head injury.
Jackson rose to national prominence in the 1960s under Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. He worked alongside King until the civil rights leader’s 1968 assassination leapfrogged Jackson to the spotlight. In 1971, Jackson broke with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to form Operation PUSH, originally named People United to Save Humanity. He founded the National Rainbow Coalition in 1984, and the two organizations merged in 1996 to become the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.
Jackson ran for president twice in the 1980s, but didn’t get far in the Democratic Party primaries.
Jackson stepped down from heading the Rainbow PUSH Coalition in 2023 after more than 50 years at the helm.
Two of Jackson’s children have served in Congress. His son Jonathan Jackson won election to Illinois’ 1st congressional district in 2022. Jesse Jackson Jr. represented Illinois’ 2nd district for 17 years until resigning during a federal investigation involving misuse of campaign funds.
Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife pleaded guilty to stealing $750,000 in campaign cash to support a lavish lifestyle and served prison terms. Jesse Jackson Jr. recently announced he is running again for Congress.