Eminem’s mom, Debbie Nelson, has reportedly died at age 69.
According to TMZ, Nelson passed away Monday (December 2) in St. Joseph, Missouri, following a battle with advanced lung cancer.
News of Nelson’s illness was first reported in September by In Touch Weekly.
“There are not many options [for Debbie],” a source told the news outlet. “She is currently staying between the cancer center and with family members. She has a very limited amount of time left.”
The insider also claimed that Eminem, 52, was supporting Nelson financially despite not speaking to her for eons
“People around her aren’t even sure if Eminem is even aware of what is happening to his mother,” they continued.
“He’s good to 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 could give them the chance to reconcile.”
Eminem’s complicated relationship with his mom has been chronicled via several songs throughout his career.
The Detroit emcee apparently called her out in his 2002 hit “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” where he rapped about the alleged abuse he endured under her care.
“Now, I would never diss my own mama just to get recognition / Take a second to listen ‘fore you think this record is dissin’ / But put yourself in my position, just try to envision / Witnessin’ your mama poppin’ prescription pills in the kitchen,” Eminem sang.
“Bitchin’ that someone’s always goin’ through her purse and s–t’s missin’ / Goin’ through public housing systems, victim of Münchausen’s Syndrome / My whole life I was made to believe I was sick when I wasn’t / ‘Til I grew up, now I blew up, it makes you sick to your stomach, doesn’t it?”
Nelson subsequently filed an $11 million defamation lawsuit against her son. But while the court ruled in her favor, Nelson was only granted $25,000 of the $11 million and walked away with $1600 after paying legal fees.
In 2008, Nelson—who is also the mom to son Nathan Samra-Mathers, 38—published a memoir, “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem,” in which she opened up about their fractured relationship.
She also discussed the possibility of reconciling with the Grammy Winner saying,
“I’m not ever gonna give up on my kids. I won’t give up on anybody. There’s hope for everybody. It’s a matter of just basically swallowing your pride. It’s like a cashed check. It’s over, it’s done. You need to move on.”
In 2013, the rapper released his song “Headlights,” in which he apologized to his mom for their beef.
“I went in headfirst, never thinking about who what I said hurt / My mom probably got it the worst,” Eminem rapped, adding that he was “mad I didn’t get the chance to thank you for being my mom and my dad.”
Nearly a decade later, Nelson skipped her son’s 2022 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame but congratulated him online.
“Marshall, I want to say, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame,” she wrote.
“I love you very much. I knew you’d get there. It’s been a long ride. I’m very, very proud of you.”
Nelson also gave a sweet shout to her granddaughter Hailie, whom Eminem welcomed in December 1995 with ex-wife Kim Scott.
“And also, I’m very proud of Hailie Jade, my big girl,” she added. “I want to tell you, Hailie, great job on your podcast, and God bless you guys. I love you very much.”
