Eminem’s mother Debbie Nelson dies at 69, cause of death revealed

Debbie Nelson, Eminem's estranged mother, passed away, following years of strained reconciliation.

Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem, has passed away after battling advanced lung cancer. She died last night in St. Joseph, Missouri, at the age of 69. The news was confirmed by TMZ through sources and later verified by Eminem's representative, Dennis Dennehy.

Debbie Nelson's lung cancer diagnosis was made public in September, with early reports indicating that she had a limited time left to live. The relationship between Debbie and her son, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, has been widely publicized and filled with ups and downs over the years. In the early years of Eminem's career, their relationship was notably strained, with the rapper accusing his mother of neglect and abuse, which he expressed in songs like "Cleanin' Out My Closet."

In 1999, Debbie filed a defamation lawsuit against her son, which further intensified their difficult relationship. She also published a memoir in 2007 titled My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, providing her side of the story.

Despite their turbulent past, the relationship between Eminem and his mother appeared to improve over time. In 2013, Eminem's song "Headlights" marked a significant shift, with the rapper expressing regret for his harsh words and apologizing for their estranged relationship.

In the years leading up to her death, Debbie and Eminem seemed to have reconciled, with her even congratulating him on his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2022. Debbie Nelson’s passing marks the end of a complex and often painful chapter in both her life and her son’s.