Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem, has passed away at the age of 69. Her death was confirmed by Eminem’s representative, Dennis Dennehy.
The cause of death has not been disclosed, although Nelson had been battling lung cancer.
Nelson’s relationship with her son, which was tumultuous for much of his career, was prominently featured in his music, especially in songs like “Cleanin’ Out My Closet.”
In the 2002 track, Eminem angrily accused her of drug abuse and neglect.
The song includes lines like “Witnessin’ your mama poppin’ prescription pills in the kitchen,” reflecting the strained nature of their relationship at the time.
In 1999, Nelson sued Eminem for defamation over his song “My Name Is,” but later settled for $25,000.
Despite this, their relationship continued to be a source of tension, with Eminem later connecting his struggles with prescription drug addiction to his mother’s influence in songs like “My Mom” (2009).
In 2008, Nelson published a memoir, My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, in which she expressed sorrow over the way she was portrayed in his music.
However, by 2013, in his song “Headlights,” Eminem publicly apologized for some of his past lyrics about her, expressing regret for the anger he had directed towards her.
Though their relationship remained strained, there were signs of reconciliation in later years.
In 2022, when Eminem was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Nelson shared a heartfelt message of congratulations, expressing pride and love for her son.
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