Jesse Jackson Biography: Children, Age, Wife, Net Worth, Parents, Height, Health
Biography
Jesse Louis Jackson, born October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, is a celebrated American civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and politician.
A prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement, he worked alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and founded the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition to advocate for racial and economic justice.
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Jackson ran for the U.S. presidency in 1984 and 1988, becoming the first African American to mount significant campaigns for the Democratic nomination.
Known for his powerful oratory and activism, he has championed issues such as voting rights, economic equality, and peace initiatives worldwide.
| Civil rights activist and former Shadow US Senator, DC | |
| Jesse Jackson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Real Name: | Jesse Louis Jackson |
| Stage Name: | Jesse Jackson |
| Born: | 8 October 1941 (age 83 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Greenville, South Carolina, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Education: | Sterling High School, University of Illinois, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Chicago Theological Seminary |
| Height: | 1.91 m |
| Parents: | Noah Louis Robinson, Charles Henry Jackson, Helen Burns |
| Siblings: | Charles “Chuck” Jackson |
| Spouse: | Jacqueline Jackson (m. 1962) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Karin Stanford (2021) |
| Children: | Jesse Jackson Jr., Ashley Jackson, Jonathan Jackson, Santita Jackson, Yusef DuBois Jackson, Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson |
| Occupation: | Civil Rights Leader • Minister • Politician |
| Net Worth: | $9 million (USD) |
Early Life & Education
Jesse Louis Jackson, born initially Jesse Louis Burns, entered the world on October 8, 1941, in Greenville, South Carolina, a city marked by the deep-seated racial segregation of the Jim Crow South.
Of African American ethnicity with a diverse ancestry that includes Cherokee Native American roots, enslaved African Americans, Irish plantation owners, and even a Confederate sheriff, Jackson grew up in a household shaped by both hardship and resilience.
As an ordained Baptist minister, his religious faith—rooted in the Black church tradition—would become a cornerstone of his life and activism from an early age.
Jackson‘s family dynamics were complex. He was the son of 16-year-old high school student Helen Burns and 33-year-old married neighbour Noah Louis Robinson, a former professional boxer, making his birth the result of an out-of-wedlock relationship that carried social stigma in segregated Greenville.
One year later, Helen married Charles Henry Jackson, a steadfast post office maintenance worker who adopted the young boy and gave him his surname; Jesse would later regard both men as fathers due to his bonds with each.
He had at least one sibling, a younger brother named Charles “Chuck” Jackson, who pursued a career as a singer with the vocal group The Independents and released solo albums in the late 1970s.
Raised in a strict, working-class home, Jackson navigated the challenges of poverty and racial discrimination, often feeling the weight of his unconventional origins.
His education reflected both promise and the era’s barriers. At the segregated Sterling High School in Greenville, Jackson excelled as an honour student, class president, and star athlete, earning varsity letters in baseball, football, and basketball while graduating tenth in his class in 1959.
He attended the University of Illinois on a football scholarship but transferred after his sophomore year, citing racial prejudice that limited Black players’ opportunities.
At North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T), a historically Black institution, he thrived as quarterback, student body president, and graduated in 1964 with a B.S. in sociology and economics.
Jackson then pursued divinity studies at Chicago Theological Seminary on a scholarship, dropping out in 1966 just three classes shy of his master’s to immerse himself in the Civil Rights Movement; he was ordained a Baptist minister in 1968 and retroactively awarded a Master of Divinity in 2000 for his prior work and life experience.
Career
Jesse Jackson’s life and career reflect a relentless pursuit of racial justice, economic equality, and global diplomacy, cementing his place as one of the most influential African American leaders of the 20th century.
Born in the era of segregation, he rose to prominence during the Civil Rights Movement, channelling his voice and energy into nonviolent protest and community empowerment.
While studying at North Carolina A&T, Jackson became active in the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), leading sit-ins to desegregate Greensboro lunch counters.
By 1965, he had joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) under Martin Luther King Jr. and marched in the historic Selma to Montgomery demonstrations for voting rights.
King soon recognized his leadership potential, appointing him in 1966 to head the Chicago branch of Operation Breadbasket, where Jackson organized boycotts against discriminatory businesses, securing thousands of jobs and contracts for African Americans.
After King’s assassination in 1968, Jackson’s influence grew, though disagreements with SCLC leadership led to his departure in 1971. That same year, he founded Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), an organization dedicated to advancing economic empowerment, educational access, and social justice.
Later merging with his Rainbow Coalition, the group evolved into the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a broad platform that advocates for civil rights, affirmative action, labour protections, and voter registration.
Jackson’s activism soon expanded into electoral politics, where he made history with groundbreaking presidential runs.
In 1984, he became the first African American to mount a serious campaign for the Democratic nomination, winning several primaries and injecting progressive issues, such as economic justice, peace, and minority rights, into the national debate.
His 1988 campaign was even more successful, garnering over 7 million votes and victories in 11 states, including Michigan, while reshaping the Democratic platform and inspiring a new generation of Black political leaders.
Jackson’s influence was not confined to U.S. borders. He built a reputation as a global diplomat, securing the release of hostages and political prisoners in places such as Syria, Cuba, and Yugoslavia, and lending his voice to anti-apartheid efforts in South Africa, where he met with Nelson Mandela.
His independent approach to diplomacy drew both praise and criticism but underscored his willingness to challenge convention in pursuit of justice.
Even as controversies—including personal scandals and critiques of his leadership style—occasionally shadowed his career, Jackson’s legacy remains firmly rooted in his ability to bridge grassroots activism with high-level politics.
Through Rainbow/PUSH, he continued to champion corporate accountability, voter mobilization, and reforms addressing systemic racism and economic inequality.
His powerful oratory and charisma made him a sought-after speaker at pivotal moments, including the 2008 Democratic National Convention in support of Barack Obama.
Social Media
- Wikipedia: Jesse Jackson
- IMDb: Jesse Jackson
- Instagram: Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@revjjackson)
- Twitter: Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) / X
Personal Life
Jesse Jackson, born on October 8, 1941, is 83 years old.
He stands at a height of 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 meters).
Jackson has been married once, to Jacqueline Lavinia Brown (Jacqueline Jackson), a fellow student he met at North Carolina A&T; they wed on December 31, 1962, and have remained together despite challenges.
The couple has five children: Santita Jackson (born 1963), a singer and political commentator; Jesse Jackson Jr. (born 1965), a former U.S. Congressman; Jonathan Luther Jackson (born 1966), a businessman and professor; Yusef DuBois Jackson (born 1970), an attorney and entrepreneur; and Jacqueline Lavinia Jackson Jr. (born 1975), who has worked in media and activism.
In addition to these, Jackson fathered a daughter, Ashley Laverne Jackson (born May 1999), from an extramarital affair with Karin Stanford, a former staffer at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition; the relationship was publicly revealed in 2001, leading Jackson to temporarily step back from public life and provide financial support for the child.
Net Worth
Civil rights activist and Baptist minister Jesse Jackson has an estimated net worth of $9 million.
This wealth stems primarily from his decades-long career in activism, public speaking engagements on topics like racial equality and economic justice, authorship of books such as “It’s About the Money! The Fourth Movement,” and media appearances, including hosting CNN’s “Both Sides with Jesse Jackson” from 1992 to 2000.
His leadership of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and presidential campaigns have also contributed through related fundraising and advocacy efforts.
While some sources cite figures up to $10 million, the consensus among recent estimates places it at $9 million, reflecting a modest accumulation given his focus on social justice over personal profit.
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