Celebs

Eminem’s Mom, Debbie Nelson, Dies at 69

Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper-songwriter Eminem, died on Monday at age 69, according to multiple reports. The New York Times states that a representative for Eminem (whose real name is Marshall Mathers) did not disclose the cause of Nelson's death or where she died. However, multiple outlets such as The Los Angeles Times, The Detroit News, and other publications have cited TMZ's reporting, which said Nelson died at a hospital in St. Joseph, Mo. She was battling lung cancer, and reports of her illness first sprouted in September, TMZ further reports. Debbie Nelson's Relationship With Eminem Symbolizes The Ups and Downs Of Parenting Eminem and Debbie Nelson had a storied history of court battles, controversy and a complicated relationship between a mother and a son, which the public absorbed as entertainment. He wrote songs that allegedly talked about his upbringing from Nelson, such as "Cleaning Out My Closet," “My Name Is,” and “Brain Damage.” The lyrics of his songs resonated with many, who also had similar complicated situations with their mother. According to The New York Times, Nelson was born on Jan. 6, 1955. Her parents' names were Betty Hixson and Bob Nelson. At 17 years old, she gave birth to Eminem on Oct. 17, 1972. She performed in a band called "Daddy Warbucks" with Eminem's father, Marshall Bruce Mathers, Jr. In 2019, Eminem's father died at age 67, according to People. Nathan Mathers, Debbie Nelson's other son and Eminem's brother, posted on social media that it was "Hatred and mixed emotions today." Nelson sued Eminem for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress due to the lyrics from The Slim Shady LP, according to an ABC News report from 2001. A judge in Macomb County, Michigan awarded a $25,000 settlement from this lawsuit. However, the judge said that Nelson was entitled only to $1,600 with the rest of the settlement ($23,400) belonging to her attorney. In 2008, Nelson published My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem: Setting the Record Straight on My Life as Eminem's Mother. In one of the last chapters of the book, Nelson wrote, "People have accused me of writing this book for money, but that's the last reason for doing it. I wanted to set the record straight to let both my sons know how much they are loved, despite our many struggles in life. And I want people to know the real me, not the person they think I am."

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