Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem, has died, TMZ and People have confirmed. She was 69.
Nelson died in St. Joseph, Missouri, from complications related to lung cancer, a representative for Eminem told People.
In September, news outlets reported that Nelson was “terminally ill” with lung cancer and didn’t have much time left to live.
A source told In Touch that Eminem was estranged from his mother but still supported her financially. The source added that “people around [Nelson] aren’t even sure if Eminem is even aware of what is happening to his mother.”
Getty
Eminem has long been open about his rocky relationship with Nelson, who gave birth to the “Lose Yourself” rapper in 1972 when she was 18. Nelson was married to Eminem’s father, but they divorced shortly after his birth.
In 1999, Nelson sued her son (who was born Marshall Bruce Mathers III) for $11 million for defamation over lyrics in his debut album, “The Slim Shady LP,” in which he claimed she did drugs.
Nelson won the lawsuit but walked away with less than $2,000 after legal fees, ABC News reported.
Mark Weiss via Getty Images
Although the mother and son had a turbulent relationship, in the past decade or so, the two seemed to make amends — at least publicly.
Nelson also congratulated her son online after he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. In a now-deleted post on X, formerly Twitter, she wrote:
We Need Your Support
Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.
Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.
Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.
Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.
You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.
Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
“Marshall, I want to say, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame,” Nelson said, according to People. “I love you very much. I knew you’d get there. It’s been a long ride. I’m very, very proud of you.”
)
English (US) ·