Freddie Jackson had been open about facing a serious health issue before his death, but there is currently no confirmation that it caused his passing.
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Jackson’s family announced through his official Instagram account on October 6 that the R&B legend died the previous night at 70. The family did not disclose a cause of death, and no official statement has connected his passing to the kidney disease diagnosis he revealed publicly in 2024.
According to the Associated Press, Jackson told fans in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with kidney disease and had partnered with the National Kidney Foundation to raise awareness about kidney health.
Jackson first shared the diagnosis publicly on September 4, 2024.
“After a lot of thought and reflection, I’ve come to a point where I feel I’m ready to talk about a recent chapter in my life,” Jackson said in the video.
“I have been diagnosed with kidney disease. This journey has had its challenges, but I’ve decided to face it with openness and resilience.”
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Jackson said he wanted to use his experience to help others dealing with similar health issues.
“It’s important to me that I share this with you, not just as a part of my personal story, but as a way to make a positive difference,” he said.
In the caption accompanying his announcement, Jackson further explained that he had support around him while navigating the diagnosis.
“This journey has been challenging, but I am not facing it alone. My close friends, my manager and music family, and all of you are here with me, keeping me going,” Jackson wrote.
Jackson also announced a partnership with the National Kidney Foundation aimed at increasing awareness and supporting people affected by kidney disease.
He ended his health announcement by thanking supporters.
“Thank you for your encouragement, your love and your support. It means more to me than I can express.”
“From the bottom of my heart, I love you.”
Kidney disease can vary significantly in severity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, chronic kidney disease occurs when damaged kidneys are unable to filter blood as effectively as they should. The condition can progress over time and may contribute to other health complications.
The CDC estimates that more than one in seven American adults has chronic kidney disease and that as many as nine in 10 people with the condition do not know they have it.
Jackson did not publicly disclose the stage of his kidney disease in his 2024 announcement, nor did he say he was undergoing dialysis or awaiting a transplant.
Following his death, his family remembered Jackson as “a kind, generous soul who loved his fans, his family, his friends, and his music with everything he had.”
For now, the confirmed facts remain limited: Freddie Jackson had publicly acknowledged living with kidney disease, but his family has not said what caused his death.
