Debbie Nelson, the mother of renowned rapper Eminem, has died at the age of 69, as confirmed by his long-time representative, Dennis Dennehy, in an email to media outlets Tuesday.
Although no specific cause of death was provided, it is known that Nelson had been battling lung cancer, according to Dennehy.
Born in 1955 on a military base in Kansas, Nelson’s life and her difficult relationship with her son, Marshall Mathers III—better known as Eminem—have been well-documented through his music.
The Detroit rapper’s rise to fame brought their strained relationship into the public eye, notably through his lyrics.
Eminem’s feelings towards his mother are referenced in his 2002 single “Cleaning Out My Closet,” and the Oscar-winning hit “Lose Yourself,” from the film “8 Mile.” The latter earned him the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2004.
Nelson took legal action against her son by filing and settling two defamation lawsuits concerning statements Eminem made about her in magazines and on radio shows.
To share her perspective, she authored a book in 2008 titled “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem,” where she aimed to clarify aspects of their relationship and Eminem’s upbringing.
She said Eminem had overlooked the positive moments they shared, writing: “Marshall and I were so close that friends and relatives commented that it was as if the umbilical cord had never been cut.”
Nelson also recounted her upbringing in the book, describing a rough early life where she said her grandmother, with whom she spent summers, was “the one woman in my large dysfunctional family to show us kids love.”
In 2004, Nelson was violently attacked on Eight Mile Road—a street made famous by Eminem’s film “8 Mile.” She was forcibly removed from her car by a 16-year-old assailant who was later sentenced to over four years in prison for the attack. She sustained bruises and a broken foot from the incident.
Eminem continues to achieve significant milestones in his career. He recently won Best Hip Hop Act at the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022.
In his personal life, Eminem announced in October that he is set to become a grandfather. His daughter Hailie Jade is expecting a child, which he revealed through a music video celebrating their relationship.
