Debbie Nelson, the mother of famous rapper Eminem, has passed away at the age of 69 after a lengthy fight against lung cancer. A representative for Eminem confirmed the news on Tuesday, revealing that Nelson passed away on Monday night in St. Joseph, Missouri. Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, has not yet issued a public statement regarding his mother’s passing.
Nelson became a notable figure in pop culture through Eminem’s music, where he often reflected on their troubled relationship. Songs like “My Name Is,” “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” and “Headlights” highlighted their tumultuous history. Despite their public disputes, Nelson believed that her son’s criticisms were rooted in misunderstanding. In her 2008 memoir, “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem,” she stated:
“In my heart, I know Marshall still loves me. He’s just confused.”
In 1999, Nelson filed a $10 million lawsuit against Eminem, claiming defamation and emotional distress due to his public remarks about her alleged drug use and abusive behavior. The lawsuit was ultimately settled out of court, a situation Eminem alluded to in his song “Without Me.”
Over the years, there were indications of reconciliation, especially in “Headlights,” a 2014 song in which Eminem expressed remorse for his negative portrayal of his mother. Debbie Nelson was born in 1955 at a U.S. Air Force base in Kansas. She married Bruce Mathers in 1970 at the age of 15, and two years later, she gave birth to Eminem in St. Joseph, Missouri. The couple divorced in 1974, with Nelson citing physical abuse as the reason. After spending several years in Metro Detroit, Nelson returned to St. Joseph, where she spent her final days.
