Eminem’s mother, Debbie Nelson, has passed away at the age of 69. She was frequently referenced in the rapper’s songs due to their strained relationship. The hip hop icon’s fans are now curious to know more details about Nelson.
So, here’s all you need to know about Debbie Nelson.
Debbie Nelson passes away at 69
On December 2, Eminem’s representative, Dennis Dennehy confirmed to TMZ that his mother Debbie Nelson passed away in St. Joseph, Missouri. She battled advanced lung cancer for long, and the complications of the condition ultimately led to her demise.
Reports about her having lung cancer surfaced in September this year. A source told InTouch Weekly that Nelson didn’t have “many options” left. “She has a very limited amount of time [left],” the source added. Further, the source also said that Eminem has been financially supporting her but remains estranged from her and the family for years.
Over the years, Eminem and Nelson had a complicated mother-son relationship. Their bond went through immense challenges with the “Superman” rapper calling her out in his songs often, specifically in his debut album The Slim Shady LP. Due to this, he has been sued by his mother for defamation.
Although they had a rocky bond, Nelson remained appreciative of his son’s success from afar. Two years ago, she also congratulated him publicly after he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (via People).
Nelson was born in a military base in Kansas. Their family later relocated to Saint Joseph. She reportedly had a rough childhood with her parents splitting up when she was young. At 16, she got married to her high-school beau, Marshall Bruce Mathers.
