Debbie Nelson, the mother of iconic rapper Eminem, has passed away at the age of 69 following a lengthy fight against lung cancer.
A representative for Eminem, born Marshall Mathers, confirmed her death, which occurred on Monday night in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Eminem has not yet made any public remarks regarding his mother’s passing. Over the years, Debbie became known in popular culture through her son’s music, which often reflected their tumultuous relationship. Eminem has explored their complicated history in songs like “My Name Is,” “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” and “Headlights.”
Despite their public disputes, Nelson often suggested that her son’s criticisms resulted from misunderstandings. In her 2008 memoir, “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem,” she expressed her belief that Eminem loved her despite their conflicts, stating, “In my heart, I know Marshall still loves me. He’s just confused.”
In 1999, Debbie filed a lawsuit against Eminem for $10 million, claiming defamation and emotional distress due to his portrayals of her alleged drug use and abusive behavior. The lawsuit was later resolved out of court, an incident Eminem referenced in his song “Without Me.”
Signs of reconciliation between them were evident, particularly in the 2014 song “Headlights,” where Eminem expressed remorse for his past depictions of her.
Debbie Nelson was born in 1955 on a U.S. Air Force base in Kansas. She married Bruce Mathers when she was just 15 and welcomed Eminem two years later in St. Joseph, Missouri.
The couple divorced in 1974, citing physical abuse as the reason. After living in Metro Detroit for several years, Debbie returned to St. Joseph, where she spent her final days.
