Eminem has lost his mother, Debbie Nelson, per multiple reports on Tuesday (Dec. 3). Nelson was 69 at the time of her death. While he hasn’t directly spoken about her passing, his rep, Dennis Dennehy, confirmed the news to PEOPLE.
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Debbie Nelson died in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Monday evening. According to TMZ — the first outlet to report the death — the 69-year-old had experienced complications with lung cancer. The rapper’s estranged dad died at age 67 in 2019, per TMZ.
Where Did Eminem & His Mother Stand Amid Her Death?
Her battle with the illness first became public news in September. At the time, InTouch Weekly reported that Debbie was terminally ill with “advanced” cancer and did not have long to live. The outlet’s inside source claimed that Eminem’s mother was bouncing between stays at a cancer center and with family members. “She has a very limited amount of time,” the source reportedly said. Additionally, the source claimed Eminem was still financially caring for his mother and other family members despite frayed relationships.
“People around her aren’t even sure if Eminem is even aware of what is happening to his mother,” the insider told InTouch Weekly. “He’s good to his mom. He makes sure he takes care of her, but they don’t really talk. It would be good for both of them [to communicate]. This could give them the chance to reconcile.”
Eminem’s complicated relationship with his mother was not a secret. In 1999, his song ‘My Name Is’ blasted his mother and neglected upbringing. Debbie Nelson sued her son for defamation that same year. She sought $11 million in damages. According to ABC News, she won the lawsuit in 2001. Ultimately, she reportedly walked away with about $1,600 of the $25,000 award after attorney fees.
That didn’t stop the rapper from telling his POV, though. In 2002, he released ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet,’ which had lyrics blasting his mother and their damaged relationship. He especially went IN during the third verse.
“But guess what, you’re gettin’ older now, and it’s cold when you’re lonely. And Nathan’s growin’ up so quick, he’s gonna know that you’re phony. And Hailie’s gettin’ so big now, you should see her, she’s beautiful. But you’ll never see her, she won’t even be at your funeral (Ha-ha!). See, what hurts me the most is you won’t admit you was wrong. B***h, do your song, keep tellin’ yourself that you was a mom! But how dare you try to take what you didn’t help me to get?! You selfish b***h, I hope you fuckin’ burn in hell for this sh*t! Remember when Ronnie died and you said you wished it was me? (Hehe) Well, guess what? I am dead—dead to you as can be!”
In the 2013 track ‘Headlights,’ Eminem spoke on their estranged relationship and even apologized to his mother for ‘Cleanin’ Out My Closet.’ In 2022, she congratulated him on being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
While loss entered Eminem’s life in the last quarter of 2024 with his mother’s death, so did life! Earlier this year, his daughter Hailie Jade married her boo Evan McClintock in May. In October, Slim Shady got his official pop-pop cap when Hailie announced her pregnancy. The moment was captured in a sweet daddy-daughter video. Most recently, Hailie and Evan revealed the gender of who will be Eminem’s first grandchild.
