Debbie Nelson, the mother of renowned American rapper Eminem, has passed away at the age of 69.
Debbie Nelson’s longtime representative, Dennis Dennehy, confirmed her demise on Wednesday, December 4. Although the cause of her death has not been disclosed, it has been reported that she had been battling lung cancer.
Debbie Nelson’s relationship with her son, whose real name is Marshall Mathers III, has been a prominent theme in his music.
Eminem’s candid lyrics often reflected the complexities of their connection. Notably, in the song “Cleaning Out My Closet,” he expressed his feelings about their past struggles, highlighting the misunderstandings and pain they experienced.
In addition to his depictions of their relationship, Eminem also referenced their shared history in his Oscar-winning hit “Lose Yourself,” where he famously mentioned “mom’s spaghetti.” This song won the Grammy for Best Rap Song in 2004 and showcased a growing sense of reflection and complexity in their dynamic.
Throughout the years, Debbie Nelson, born in 1955 on a military base in Kansas, sought to clarify her perspective through various means. She settled defamation lawsuits related to Eminem’s public statements about her and authored a book titled “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem” in 2008, where she shared her insights about his upbringing and the love and good times they shared.
Nelson faced her challenges, including a traumatic incident in 2004 when she was attacked on Eight Mile Road, a significant location in Eminem’s narrative. Despite this, she demonstrated resilience throughout her life.
Note that Eminem, who has received numerous awards for his music, including being named best hip-hop act at the 2024 MTV EMAs and being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, announced in October that he is expecting to become a grandfather, sharing the news in a heartfelt tribute video featuring his daughter, Hailie Jade via his official Instagram page.