A rep confirmed that Eminem’s mom, Debbie Nelson, died at 69 on December 3 after battling advanced lung cancer for months. Eminem and Debbie Nelson have had a tumultuous relationship, and reports say they have not had direct contact in years, even while she was sick.
It is uncertain if Eminem and his mom reconciled before her passing; however, he continued to support her financially despite being estranged from her. The rapper was always candid about his relationship with Debbie Nelson, whom he called out in hit singles like “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” “My Name Is,” “My Mom,” and “Headlights.”
What did Eminem say about his mom Debbie Nelson?
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At the start of his career, Eminem expressed hurt over his mother through music, noting that she was abusive and a drug addict. According to the deceased’s memoir, My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, Debbie Nelson had him 16 months after getting married to Marshall Bruce Matthews Jr. at 15.
Eminem said he would find her popping prescription pills in the kitchen, which she denied in her biography. She also told her side of the story in writing, saying she lacked support from Eminem’s father and did her best to raise him and his brother.
Eminem’s mother Debbie Nelson received an apology from him
As Eminem reached heights of fame and grew older, his perspective about his upbringing changed, and he made a move to reconcile with Debbie Nelson. The 52-year-old admitted to feeling more compassionate during a 2009 appearance on 106 & Park, although they had yet to speak still.
He also expressed how bad he felt about airing his family drama to the world in 2013’s “Headlights,” noting that his actions hit his mom the worst and that he was sorry. He has three kids of his own—Hailie, Alaina, and Stevie—all of whom he shares with his ex-wife, Kim Scott.
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