Eminem’s mother, Debbie Nelson, has passed away at the age of 69.
A spokesperson for the acclaimed rapper, known for his hit “Without Me,” confirmed to People that Nelson succumbed to her illness on Monday, December 2, in St. Joseph, Missouri, following a prolonged struggle with advanced lung cancer. TMZ was the first to report the news on Tuesday.
Reports initially surfaced in September indicating that Nelson was grappling with lung cancer; however, neither she nor Eminem, whose birth name is Marshall Mathers III, verified this information.
The rapper, known for his iconic track “The Real Slim Shady,” has had a tumultuous relationship with his mother, having formerly alleged that she was both abusive and neglectful.
Eminem, now 52, has referenced her in several of his songs, including the 2002 track “Cleanin’ Out My Closet.” Nevertheless, in his 2013 release “Headlights,” he extended an apology to her for the criticisms expressed in his earlier works.
The dynamics of their relationship became further complicated when Nelson initiated a defamation lawsuit against Eminem in 1999 and subsequently authored her memoir, “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem,” which was published in 2007.
In an effort to mend their relationship, Nelson reached out to congratulate her son on his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
Eminem’s estranged father, Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr., passed away at the age of 67 in 2019.
