Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem, passed away at the age of 69 on December 2, 2024, in a hospital in St. Joseph, Missouri.
Nelson, who was also known as Debbie Mathers, had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer earlier in the year.
Nelson’s relationship with her son, Eminem (real name Marshall Mathers), was famously tumultuous and often served as inspiration for his music.
He frequently referenced their strained relationship in songs like “My Name Is” and “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” where he accused her of drug abuse and neglect.
In 1999, Nelson filed a defamation lawsuit against her son, which she won, but only received a small portion of the damages due to legal fees.
Despite their rocky past, Nelson published a memoir in 2008 titled “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem,” where she shared her side of the story and expressed a desire for reconciliation.
In recent years, she publicly congratulated Eminem on his achievements, including his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
