Eminem’s Mother, Debbie Nelson, Dies at 69 Following Lung Cancer Battle
Debbie Nelson, the mother of rap icon Eminem, has passed away at the age of 69 after a courageous battle with advanced lung cancer.
TMZ reported that she died on Monday night in St. Joseph, Missouri. Her diagnosis was made public in September. Eminem has not yet made a public statement regarding her passing.
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Debbie and Eminem shared a complicated and highly publicized relationship, often reflected in his music.
Despite their turbulent history, Debbie showed her support for her son in recent years.
After Eminem's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, she posted a heartfelt, albeit later deleted, video on social media, congratulating him on his monumental achievement.
Eminem’s father, Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr., passed away in 2019 at the age of 67 due to a heart attack.
Debbie gave birth to Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, when she was just 18 years old in 1972. She had been married to his father, her high school sweetheart, but the couple separated shortly after Eminem's birth.
Throughout his early career, Eminem often rapped about his strained relationship with Debbie, with one of the most notable examples being his 2002 hit "Cleanin' Out My Closet."
In 1999, Debbie famously sued him for defamation over the harsh lyrics he directed at her. She also shared her side of their story in her 2008 memoir, "My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem".
Over time, Eminem’s perspective appeared to evolve. In 2013, he addressed his regret over their conflicts in the emotional track "Headlights," offering an olive branch of sorts to his mother.