What happened between Eminem and his mother? Debbie Nelson passes away at 69

Rapper Eminem's mother, Debbie Nelson, has passed away at the age of 69 following a battle with advanced lung cancer. TMZ reported that Nelson died at night on December 2, 2024, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Her death comes three months after it was revealed she was terminally ill.

"There are not many options [for Debbie]," said a source to InTouch Weekly, as reported on September 4, 2024, further adding that Nelson had been staying between a cancer center and with family members.

Eminem has openly addressed his rocky relationship with his mother throughout his career. His 2002 hit Cleanin' Out My Closet featured lyrics about the alleged abuse and neglect he endured from her as a child. In the song, the rapper detailed his experiences with poverty, prescription drug use in the household, and emotional manipulation.

Meanwhile, the lyrics in the rapper's 1999 studio album The Slim Shady LP led Debbie Nelson to file an $11 million defamation lawsuit against him. As per a report by People dated August 8, 2001, she was awarded just $25,000, and she ultimately walked away with $1,600 after attorney fees.

Despite the legal battle, Nelson later expressed hope for reconciliation in an exclusive interview with The Village Voice published on December 4, 2008.

"I'm not ever gonna give up on my kids. I won't give up on anybody," Debbie stated in the interview.

In 2013, Eminem released Headlights, a song many viewed as a public apology to his mother. The track included heartfelt lyrics expressing regret over their strained relationship and gratitude for her sacrifices.

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Debbie Nelson raised Eminem and Nathan Samra-Mathers

Born in 1955 on a Kansas military base, Debbie Nelson was the eldest of three siblings and three step-siblings. She grew up in a tumultuous environment, taking on significant responsibilities as a child, including caring for her younger siblings. Her 2007 memoir My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem delves into her upbringing, marked by instability and strained parental relationships.

Debbie Nelson also wrote in her memoir that she married her high school sweetheart, Marshall Bruce Mathers, at 16 and became a mother at 18. She gave birth to Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, on October 17, 1972, in Saint Joseph, Missouri, after a difficult 72-hour labor that nearly claimed her life.

Nelson later had a second son, Nathan Samra-Mathers, in 1986. Nathan Samra-Mathers, also known as Nathan Kane, is Eminem's half-brother. He was born on February 3, 1986, to Debbie Nelson and Fred Samra Jr. As per a report by People dated December 3, 2024, Nathan has pursued a career in music like Eminem and shares three children with his wife.

Debbie Nelson was not present for Eminem's 2022 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but celebrated the milestone in a video posted to social media. As reported by People on November 8, 2022, she said in the video:

"I love you very much. I knew you'd get there."

She expressed pride in her son's achievements and also praised her granddaughter Hailie Jade Scott on the success of her Just A Little Shady podcast.

Debbie Nelson leaves behind six grandchildren, including Eminem's children—Hailie, Alaina, and Stevie.

Though it remains unclear if Eminem and his mother reconciled before her passing, InTouch Weekly mentioned in their September 2024 report that he had supported her financially in recent years. Eminem has yet to comment publicly on his mother's death.

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Eminem's most recent project, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), was released in July 2024. The album marks a significant milestone in his career, symbolically concluding the story of his controversial alter ego, Slim Shady.

With a well-received rollout that included teasers and thematic trailers, the album featured collaborations with artists such as Skylar Grey, JID, and BabyTron. Furthermore, tracks like Temporary and Somebody Save Me garnered particular attention for their emotional depth and production quality