Jacqueline Jackson Biography: Age, Husband, Children, Net Worth, Books, Activism

Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson is an American author, peace activist, and longtime partner of civil rights leader Reverend Jesse L. Jackson.

She became more widely known through her public and private roles alongside her husband, especially during his presidential campaigns, and for her work writing a book of letters she sent to their son Jesse Jackson Jr. while he was incarcerated. Her voice has been visible in civil rights, social justice, and peace movements, as well as through her writing.

Profile

• Full name: Jacqueline Lavinia Davis Brown Jackson
• Nickname: Jackie Jackson
• Date of birth: March 7, 1944
• Age: 81 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Fort Pierce, Florida, United States
• State of origin: Florida
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Author, peace activist
• Parents: Mother: Gertrude “Gertie” Davis
• Siblings: Four half-siblings through her mother
• Spouse: Jesse L. Jackson Sr. (married December 31, 1962)
• Children: Santita Jackson; Jesse Jackson Jr.; Jonathan Luther Jackson; Yusef DuBois Jackson; Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson
• Relationship status: Married
• Ethnicity: African American
• Net worth: $5 million

Early Life and education

Jacqueline Lavinia Davis was born on March 7, 1944 in Fort Pierce, Florida. She is now 81 years old. Her mother, Gertrude “Gertie” Davis (born March 7, 1927, died July 13, 2017), was a migrant worker; Jacqueline never met her biological father.

When she was about five years old, her mother married Navy Chief Petty Officer Julius Frances Brown Sr., and the family moved to Newport News, Virginia. Jacqueline attended Huntington High School in West Virginia.

She later enrolled at North Carolina A&T State University (then Agricultural and Technical College of North Carolina). While a student there, she participated in civil rights protest activities. She dropped out of college when her first child, Santita, was born.

Personal Life

Jacqueline met Jesse L. Jackson during her freshman year at North Carolina A&T. On December 31, 1962, when she was about 18 years old, they married at her parents’ home. They have five children together: Santita (born 1963), Jesse Jr. (born 1965), Jonathan Luther (born 1966), Yusef DuBois (born 1970), and Jacqueline Lavinia (born 1975).

Career

Jacqueline Jackson has been active as a peace activist, civil rights advocate, and author. She has participated in protests, led delegations, and spoken on behalf of marginalized groups, especially women and oppressed minorities. For example, in 1979 she traveled with activist Jack O’Dell to Beirut to meet with Palestinian leaders.

As an author, she published Loving You, Thinking of You, Don’t Forget to Pray (2019), which is a compilation of letters she wrote to her son Jesse Jackson Jr. during his incarceration. She has been recognized by institutions for her service: in May 2021 she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from North Carolina A&T State University for a lifetime of dedicated service.

Awards

• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from North Carolina A&T State University, May 2021

Net worth

Jacqueline Jackson’s current net worth is estimated to be approximately $5 million.

Controversy

Jacqueline Jackson has had some public attention but not major scandals. One notable incident: in 2001, she was arrested at Vieques, Puerto Rico, in a protest against United States Navy bombing tests.

The arrest involved a strip search request and a body cavity search; she complied with parts but refused that specific search, was held in solitary confinement for ten days, and refused to post bail.

She and her husband contracted COVID-19 in August 2021. She was not vaccinated at the time; she was hospitalized and placed in the intensive care unit, then later recovered. After recovery she urged vaccination and following public health guidelines.

Social Media

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Books

• Loving You, Thinking of You, Don’t Forget to Pray