Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem, has died at the age of 69. She passed away on December 2, 2024, in St. Joseph, Missouri, after battling lung cancer. The announcement was confirmed by Eminem’s representative, Dennis Dennehy.
Eminem’s Mom, Debbie Nelson, dead at 69
According to People, Debbie Nelson was born in 1955 on a military base in Kansas, and grew up in a large and dysfunctional family. At 16, she married Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. Two years later, she gave birth to Marshall Mathers III, who would later rise to stardom as Eminem. Debbie and Eminem had a complicated and often hostile relationship throughout her life. Eminem frequently spoke about their strained bond in his music, with songs like “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” shedding light on their turbulent past. Lyrics from that song led Debbie to file a defamation lawsuit against him in 2002.
Despite their rocky history, there were efforts to reconcile over time. In 2008, Debbie released a memoir titled My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, where she shared her side of the story and her desire to put the past behind her. Eminem reciprocated those feelings and released the song Headlights in 2013, which was seen as an apology to his mother. Over the years, their relationship showed signs of improvement. In 2022, Debbie congratulated Eminem on his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame through a heartfelt message on Twitter, according to TMZ.
Wilson is survived by her son, Nathan Mathers, and Eminem. As of Tuesday afternoon, the rapper had not released a statement regarding her passing.
Nelson’s life was marked by her role as a mother to one of the most influential artists in modern music. Her legacy includes both her positive and negative contributions to Eminem’s life and their relationship’s impact on his career.
