Jesse Jackson, a defining voice in the American civil rights movement, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026, at age 84. He was surrounded by his wife of 63 years and their children. An official cause of death has not been announced.

Jackson was a Baptist minister, activist, and two-time Democratic presidential candidate who championed racial equality, economic justice, and voting rights for more than 50 years. His legacy in public life remains influential.

However, his personal life once made headlines in a very different way. In 2001, Jackson publicly acknowledged an extramarital relationship that resulted in the birth of a daughter, Ashley, with Karin Stanford, an employee in his Rainbow PUSH Coalition office.

At the time, Jackson addressed the matter openly: “I fully accept responsibility, and I am truly sorry for my actions,” noting he had been working to resolve it privately with his wife and their five children before it became public.

Born out of wedlock himself, Jackson emphasized his commitment to providing his daughter with stability, dignity, and privacy. He ensured she received financial support, life insurance, and provisions for education.

The timing of the affair drew scrutiny, as it occurred while Jackson, then 59, was serving as a spiritual adviser to President Bill Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. The contrast between his public role and private actions fueled criticism, prompting Jackson to step back from public engagements.

Ashley Laverne Jackson has since forged her own path. She is an actress, writer, producer, and advocate, earning her MFA in 2025 from USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program. She has appeared in Netflix’s Beats and worked on television projects including Disney’s apprenticeship programs and Grown-ish.

Following her father’s death, Ashley shared a heartfelt tribute on social media, honoring his legacy while embracing her own journey: “I find myself unspooling the threads of your legacy while weaving my own,” reflecting both admiration and independence.