Kaylah Walton
Debbie Nelson, the mother of the celebrated rapper Eminem, has sadly passed away at 69 due to complications from lung cancer.
A spokesperson for Eminem has confirmed her death occurred on the evening of Monday, December 2, in St. Joseph, Missouri, with TMZ being the first to report the news.
Complicated Relationship Between Nelson & Eminem
Nelson’s struggle with terminal lung cancer became known in September when it was reported that her condition was grave.
In Touch reported that she spent her final days in a cancer facility and with family.
Despite their complicated past, Eminem consistently provided financial support during her illness.
However, it is uncertain if they reconciled before her passing.
Born in 1955 on a military base in Kansas, Nelson described her upbringing as belonging to a “large dysfunctional family,” a sentiment shared in her 2008 memoir, My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem.
Being the eldest of five siblings, she assumed family duties early on after her parents’ divorce.
At the age of 18, she welcomed her son Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, with her high school boyfriend, Marshall Bruce Mathers, leading to their brief marriage.
Their troubled relationship often attracted media attention.
In 1999, she filed a defamation lawsuit against him regarding lyrics in his debut album, The Slim Shady LP, where he accused her of drug use. She won the case but was awarded much less than the $11 million she requested.
In her memoir My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, Nelson recounted her difficult upbringing, including claims of abuse from her stepfather.
In a 2008 interview, she expressed hope for forgiveness, stating, “There’s hope for everybody. It’s a matter of swallowing your pride.”
Eminem reached out in his 2013 song “Headlights,” expressing regret for their past issues.
Although Nelson was unable to attend his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2022, she sent a touching video message celebrating his achievement, saying, “I love you very much. I knew you’d get there. It’s been a long ride. I’m very, very proud of you.”
She is survived by Eminem and her younger son, Nathan Samra-Mathers, born in 1986, whom Eminem later took custody of after Nathan spent time in foster care.
