Which progressive neurological disease had Jesse Jackson been living with for over a decade before his death in 2026?

Reverend Jesse Jackson, the revered civil rights leader, had been living with a challenging progressive neurological condition known as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) for more than a decade before his passing in 2026. While he initially announced a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2017, it was later confirmed in April 2024 that his symptoms were consistent with PSP, a distinct and rarer neurodegenerative disorder. This condition, often mistaken for Parkinson's due to overlapping early symptoms like stiffness and slowed movement, typically progresses more rapidly and affects different areas of the brain.

Progressive supranuclear palsy is characterized by the deterioration of cells in brain regions controlling movement, coordination, thinking, and other vital functions. Individuals with PSP commonly experience issues with balance, leading to frequent falls, particularly backward. A hallmark symptom is difficulty with eye movements, especially looking downward, which can make daily tasks challenging and give a wide-eyed, staring expression. As the disease advances, it can also impact speech, swallowing, and cognitive abilities.

Jackson's public journey with PSP, including his hospitalizations in 2025, brought significant national visibility to this often-misunderstood disease. Despite the increasing severity of his symptoms, which eventually limited his ability to speak and required a wheelchair, he remained active for years, continuing his advocacy and public appearances. His family's openness about his condition helped to shed light on PSP, a disorder for which there is currently no cure, though treatments can help manage its diverse symptoms.