Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem, has died at the age of 69. The cause of death was not disclosed. Ms. Nelson had a tumultuous relationship with her son, which inspired many of his early hits, including “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” and “My Name Is.” In various interviews, she shared her account of their strained relationship, in which she claimed Eminem’s father abandoned them, leading to years of moving from home to home.
Eminem wrote about his mother’s struggles with addiction and abuse in several songs. In a 2002 single, he directly addressed his mother over his upbringing, accusing her of neglect and prescription-pill abuse. Despite their differences, the two reportedly tried to reconcile at times, with Eminem showing remorse for his harsh lyrics.
Ms. Nelson is survived by another son, Nathan Mathers, and several grandchildren. She was married and divorced multiple times and operated a taxi service in Missouri before her death. The news comes after Eminem’s induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, where Ms. Nelson publicly congratulated him online.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/arts/music/debbie-nelson-eminem-mother-dead.html