For more than half a century, Jesse Jackson stood as one of the most recognizable figures in the American civil rights movement. A Baptist minister, activist, and two-time Democratic presidential candidate, he became a defining voice on issues of racial equality, economic justice, and voting rights.
Jackson passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026, at the age of 84. According to his family, he died surrounded by his wife of 63 years and their children. An official cause of death has not been publicly announced.
While his public life was marked by decades of advocacy and political influence, his personal life once made headlines in a very different way.
In 2001, Jackson acknowledged an extramarital relationship that resulted in the birth of a daughter, Ashley. The revelation became national news, not only because of his prominence as a civil rights leader, but also because of the moral expectations often placed on clergy and public figures.
At the time, Jackson addressed the situation directly in an interview with ABC News.
“This is no time for evasions, denials or alibis. I fully accept responsibility, and I am truly sorry for my actions,” he said.
When he made the public statement, his daughter was already 20 months old. Her mother, Karin Stanford, had worked in Jackson’s Rainbow PUSH Coalition office in Washington, D.C. Jackson explained that he had been working to discuss the matter privately with his wife and their five children before it became public.
The situation carried particular weight for Jackson. He himself had been born out of wedlock and was familiar with the stigma such circumstances could bring. In his statement, he emphasized his commitment to providing stability and dignity for his daughter.
“I was born of these circumstances, and I know the importance of growing up in a nurturing, supportive, and protected environment. So I’m determined to give my daughter and her mother the privacy they both deserve.”
He also noted practical steps he was taking, stating:
“This child deserves the monthly support she receives, a life insurance policy, provisions for a college education, and, most importantly, dignity and privacy.”
The timing of the affair drew additional scrutiny. Based on his daughter’s age, the relationship had occurred while Jackson, then 59, was serving as an informal spiritual adviser to President Bill Clinton during the fallout from the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Political analyst George Stephanopoulos noted at the time that Jackson had been close to the Clinton family during that period, counseling them and even praying with the president at the White House.
The contrast between Jackson’s public role as a moral adviser and the revelations about his personal life fueled criticism. Many questioned how a reverend so prominent in national conversations about ethics and leadership could find himself at the center of such controversy.
Jackson temporarily stepped back from public engagements following the disclosure, focusing instead on his family. Reports indicated that Stanford received $3,000 per month in child support and financial assistance for relocation, though she chose not to speak publicly about the matter.
More than two decades later, Ashley Laverne Jackson has carved out a public identity of her own.
Now an actress, writer, producer, and advocate, Ashley earned her Master of Fine Arts in 2025 from the University of Southern California’s Peter Stark Producing Program, becoming the first graduate of Spelman College to complete the prestigious program.
As a performer, she is known for her role as Niyah in the 2019 Netflix film Beats. She has also worked in television development, including participation in Disney’s inaugural Apprenticeship Program and supporting projects such as Grown-ish.
In October 2025, Ashley revealed she was developing a docuseries exploring her father’s legacy through her own perspective, blending personal reflection with broader cultural analysis.
Through her nonprofit and podcast, PUSH The Next Generation, she focuses on youth civic engagement and fostering dialogue across generations. Her advocacy also extends to food justice initiatives, promoting plant-based education in underserved communities.
Following her father’s death, Ashley shared a heartfelt message on social media.
“I am immensely grateful to have been held by your love—a love so vast it moved nations and changed lives,” she wrote. “That love is what will sustain our connection in all realms. It does not end; it simply shifts form. Your presence and your love will remain with me always. I promise to honor your legacy, now and forever.”
She added:
“What a gift it has been to share this lifetime with you: to come from your lineage, to learn from a legend, to simply call you Dad… Now, as I step into my own adulthood—flying on winds shaped by your enormous wings—I find myself unspooling the threads of your legacy while weaving my own.”
Her words reflected both admiration and independence — an acknowledgment of a complex legacy shaped by public triumphs and personal trials.
