Eminem’s mother Debbie Nelson has reportedly died at the age of 69.
Nelson died Monday evening after a battle with advanced lung cancer in St. Joseph, Missouri, TMZ has reported.
Eminem – real name Marshall Mathers – and his mother have had a tense relationship that has played out in the public eye since the rapper rose to fame more than 25 years ago, but the duo had made an attempt to mend the relationship.
In 2022, she congratulated her son on his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
During their troubled relationship, Eminem, 52, referenced his mother on the song My Name Is from the 1999 album The Slim Shady LP.
In the song My Name Is, the rapper claimed that his mother “did more dope than” him.
Eminem’s mother Debbie Nelson has reportedly died at the age of 69
Marshall Mathers, 52, and his mother have had a strained relationship that has played out in the public eye since the rapper rose to fame more than 25 years ago, but the duo had made an attempt to mend the relationship.
Debbie responded to her son by suing him for $11 million, claiming defamation of character.
The rapper and record producer’s attorney subsequently released a statement on behalf of his client, saying the lawsuit was the “result of a lifelong strained relationship” between the couple.
The lawsuit culminated with Debbie receiving $25,000, most of which went to her lawyer.
Debbie gave birth to Marshall when she was just 18, and he was abandoned by his father shortly after his birth.
In September, InTouch reported that Debbie was “terminally ill and had advanced lung cancer.”
‘There aren’t many options [for Debbie]”said the source. ‘She is currently staying between the cancer center and with relatives. She only has a very limited amount of time [left].’
The report alleged that Eminem had assisted his mother financially but had been in contact with her or other relatives in Missouri for “years.”
“People around her aren’t even sure if Eminem knows what’s happening to his mother,” the insider said. ‘He’s good to his mother. He makes sure he takes care of her, but they don’t really talk. It would be good for both of them [to communicate]. This could give them a chance to reconcile.”
Eminem – real name Marshall Mathers – and his mother have endured a tense relationship playing out in the public eye
During their troubled relationship, Eminem, 52, referenced his mother on the song My Name Is from the 1999 album The Slim Shady LP.
Debbie did not attend her son’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame ceremony in 2022, but congratulated him via video.
Debbie addressed her son by saying, “Marshall, I want to say that I couldn’t let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame.”
Eminem starred in the 2002 film “8 Mile,” which was loosely based on his own life growing up in a trailer park and his strained relationship with his mother.
It told the story of Jimmy ‘B-Rabbit’ Smith Jr. (Eminem), a young white rapper trying to make it in Detroit’s predominantly black hip-hop scene.
Eminem starred in the 2002 film “8 Mile,” which was loosely based on his own life growing up in a trailer park and his strained relationship with his mother; pictured June 2024
In a 2008 interview, Debbie admitted that she wanted to put their differences aside.
She told Village Voice: “I will never give up on my children. I won’t give up on anyone.
‘There is hope for everyone. It’s a matter of just swallowing your pride. It’s like a cashed check. It’s over, it’s done. You have to move on.”
In 2013, Eminem released ‘Headlights’ as an apology to his mother.
He spat, “I went into it headfirst without thinking about who what I said hurt / My mother probably had it the worst.”
Eminem added, “And I’m mad that I didn’t get the chance to thank you for being my mom and dad.” So Mom, please accept this as a tribute I wrote on this plane.”