Eminem has lost his mother, Debbie Nelsonper multiple reports on Tuesday (Dec. 3). Nelson was 69 when she died. Although he has not directly spoken about her passing, his rep, Dennis Dennehy, confirmed the news to PEOPLE.
FAMILY: Prayers up! 73-year-old NYC man dies while trying to escape home invasion
Debbie Nelson died in St. Joseph, Missouri, on Monday night. According to TMZ – the first outlet to report the death – the 69-year-old had experienced complications with lung cancer. The rapper’s estranged father died at the age of 67 in 2019, according to TMZ.
Where did Eminem and his mother stand in the midst of her death?
Her fight against the disease 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 bounced between stays at a cancer center and with family members. “She has very limited time” the source reportedly said. Additionally, the source claimed that Eminem still took care of his mother and other family members financially despite strained relationships.
“People around her aren’t even sure if Eminem is even aware of what’s going on with his mom,” the insider told InTouch Weekly. “He’s good with 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 might give them the chance to reconcile.”
Eminem’s complicated relationship with his mother was no secret. In 1999, his song “My Name Is” blasted his mother and neglected upbringing. Debbie Nelson sued her son for defamation the same year. She sought $11 million in damages. According to ABC Newsshe won the lawsuit in 2001. In the end, she reportedly walked away with about $1,600 of the $25,000 award after attorneys’ fees.
It 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 getting older now, and it’s cold when you’re alone. And Nathan’s growing up so fast he’ll know you’re fake. And Hailie’s getting so big now, you should see her, she’s beautiful. But you’ll never see her, she won’t even be at your funeral! See, what hurts me the most is that you won’t admit that you were wrong , do your song, keep telling yourself that you be a mother! How dare you try to take what you didn’t help me get?! You selfish bastard! Do you remember when Ronnie died and you wished it was me? (Hehe) Well, guess what? I’m dead—dead as can be!”
In the 2013 song “Headlights”, Eminem spoke about 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 the death of his mother, 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 father-daughter video. Most recently, Hailie and Evan revealed the gender of who will be Eminem’s first grandchild.
FAMILY: Awww! Eminem’s daughter Hailie Jade and her husband Evan McClintock reveal the gender of their first child (VIDEO)
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