Who was Jesse Jackson’s wife? All you need to know Jacqueline Jackson

Jacqueline Lavinia Brown Jackson was the longtime wife of civil rights leader Jesse Jackson and a respected activist, author, and humanitarian in her own right. Married for more than six decades, she stood alongside one of America’s most prominent civil rights figures throughout his activism, presidential campaigns, and public service career.

Her life has been closely linked with the American civil rights movement, yet she has also built a legacy independent of her husband’s political prominence.

Early Life and Background

Jacqueline Lavinia Brown was born in 1944 in the United States and later attended college in North Carolina, where she met Jesse Jackson. The couple married in 1962during the height of the civil rights movement. At the time, Jackson was beginning to emerge as a young activist who would later work closely with Martin Luther King Jr..

Their marriage became a partnership deeply rooted in faith, activism, and community service.

Role in the Civil Rights Movement

While Jesse Jackson became a national figure, Jacqueline Jackson remained an active supporter of civil rights initiatives. She was involved in charitable and educational causes and supported the work of the Rainbow PUSH Coalitionan organisation founded by her husband to promote economic empowerment, social justice, and political inclusion.

She often participated in community outreach programs and church-based initiatives, helping to expand the family’s influence beyond politics into grassroots humanitarian work.

Family Life

Jacqueline and Jesse Jackson had five children together, including:

The Jackson family has long been involved in public service, media, and activism. Despite the pressures of national politics and public scrutiny, Jacqueline Jackson maintained a steady presence within the family and community.

Life After Jesse Jackson’s Death

Following the passing of Jesse Jackson on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84, Jacqueline Jackson remained a central figure in preserving his legacy. His death, after years of health struggles including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), marked the end of a major chapter in American civil rights history.

Jacqueline Jackson has since been remembered as not only the wife of a historic leader but also as a quiet force who supported decades of activism, political change, and community service.