Debbie Nelson, the mother of Grammy-winning rapper Eminem, has died at the age of 69 following a battle with lung cancer. According to TMZ, Nelson passed away on Monday evening, December 2, in St. Joseph, Missouri, after complications arising from her illness, which was first diagnosed in September.
Born in 1955 on a military base in Kansas, Nelson had a challenging upbringing, as she described in her 2008 memoir, My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem. Her parents divorced when she was under 10, leaving her, the eldest of five siblings, to shoulder family responsibilities early in life. At 16, she married Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr., and two years later, in October 1972, she gave birth to Marshall Mathers III—better known as Eminem.
Nelson’s relationship with Eminem was marked by years of public feuds and reconciliation. The rapper famously criticized his mother in songs like “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” and “My Name Is,” leading Nelson to file an $11 million defamation lawsuit. While the court ruled in her favor, she received just $1,600 after legal fees. In response to her son’s allegations, Nelson released a CD titled Set the Record Straight, addressing his accusations.
Despite their turbulent history, Nelson had expressed a desire to reconcile with her son. In 2013, Eminem extended an olive branch with his song “Headlights,” apologizing for his past criticisms and acknowledging her role in his life.
In recent years, Nelson appeared supportive of Eminem’s success. After the rapper’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Nelson shared a heartfelt video message congratulating him. “Marshall, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you… I love you very much. It’s been a long ride. I’m very, very proud of you,” she said in the now-deleted clip.
Debbie Nelson is survived by her two sons, Eminem and Nathan Mathers. Her legacy is intertwined with her son’s rise to fame, serving as both a source of conflict and inspiration throughout his storied career.