Eminem's Mother, Debbie Nelson, Passes Away at 69 After Battling Lung Cancer

Debbie Nelson, the mother of the acclaimed rapper Eminem, has passed away at the age of 69. Dennis Dennehy, a spokesperson for Eminem, confirmed her death to CBS News Detroit, although the cause of death was not disclosed. Nelson had been fighting lung cancer.

Strained Relationship with Her Son

Debbie Nelson's tumultuous relationship with her son, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, has been well-documented ever since the Detroit rapper rose to fame. Eminem expressed his negative feelings towards his mother in various songs, particularly in the 2002 single "Cleaning Out My Closet," where he made references to her struggles with prescription pills and questioned her parenting. In the Oscar-winning track "Lose Yourself" from the film "8 Mile," he also alluded to his experiences with his mother.

Legal Battles and Attempts to Set the Record Straight

In response to Eminem's statements about her, Nelson filed two defamation lawsuits related to his comments in magazines and on radio talk shows. In her 2008 book, "My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem," she sought to clarify her perspective on their relationship and shed light on Eminem's early life.

A Legacy Beyond Their Relationship

Despite their troubled dynamic, Eminem achieved significant milestones in his career, recently winning the award for best hip-hop act at the 2024 MTV EMAs and being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. Additionally, he shared the news of becoming a grandfather, revealing in a heartfelt music video that his daughter, Hailie Jade, is expecting a child.