Eminem’s mother, Debbie Nelson, Dead at 69
Eminem’s mother, Debbie Nelson, has passed away at 69. She and Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, had a complicated relationship, which is often explored in his music. Despite…
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 3: Eminem performs before the WBA junior middleweight title bout between Terence Crawford and Israel Madrimov at BMO Stadium on August 3, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Kevork Djansezian/Getty ImagesEminem's mother, Debbie Nelson, has passed away at 69.
She and Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, had a complicated relationship, which is often explored in his music. Despite the turbulence, he did extend an in-song apology years later.
A Complicated History
Nelson gave birth to Eminem on October 17, 1972, at 18 years old. She had married Bruce Mathers at 15, and they spent some time playing in a band called Daddy Warbucks. Sadly, Bruce left after Eminem was born, leaving Nelson to raise him and his half-brother Nathan largely on her own.
They moved around Michigan and Missouri before finally settling in Detroit.
Debbie Mathers exits a Macomb County Court courtroom following his sentencing on concealed weapons charges April 10, 2001 in Michigan. Mathers was given two years probation.
While Nelson claimed she provided financial and emotional support, Eminem often painted a different picture. In a 1999 Rolling Stone profile, he accused her of stealing his paychecks, kicking him out frequently, and abusing drugs (which she denied).
Musical battles
Nelson was a frequent target in Eminem's music. In "My Name Is," he rapped, "I just found out my mom does more dope than I do," prompting Nelson to file a $10 million defamation suit, though she only received $25,000 after legal fees.
Photo By Getty ImagesDebbie Mathers, Mother Of Bad Boy Rapper Eminem Releases Her Own Hip-Hop Album "Set The Record Straight" To Answer Her Son's Charges That She Was A Lousy Parent. Eminem Depicts Her Mom Debbie As A Neglectful, Pill-Popping, Welfare-Collecting Mother On His Top-Selling Cd "Slim Shady".
Despite the lawsuit, Eminem didn't hold back. He continued to release scathing tracks like "Kill You" and "Cleanin' Out My Closet." In response, Nelson released her own diss track, "Dear Marshall," where she both chastised and admitted some of her mistakes.
In 2008, she published a tell-all book, "My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem," to set the record straight from her perspective.
Signs of reconciliation
The exact status of their relationship in recent years is unclear, but there were glimmers of reconciliation. In his 2013 song "Headlights," Eminem apologized to Nelson, expressing regret over some of his past lyrics.
In 2022, Nelson celebrated Eminem's induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with a heartfelt message on Twitter:
"Marshall, I want to say, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame. I love you very much. I knew you'd get there. It's been a long ride. I'm very, very proud of you."
Rest in peace, Debbie Nelson.
