Debbie Nelson, a single mother from Missouri whose strained relationship with her son, rapper Eminem, became a subject of his early music, passed away on Monday at the age of 69. Eminem’s representative, Dennis Dennehy, confirmed her death but did not disclose a cause or location.
Nelson’s complicated relationship with Eminem was central to many of his songs, including the 2002 hit “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” where he accused her of neglect and abuse. In the song, he sarcastically apologizes for making her cry while expressing resentment about her attempts to claim credit for his success.
Nelson, who sued Eminem for defamation in 1999 over his portrayal of her in “My Name Is,” later wrote a memoir titled My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, in which she provided her perspective on their relationship.
Born on January 6, 1955, Deborah Rae Nelson married Marshall Mathers Jr. as a teenager and gave birth to Marshall (Eminem) in 1972. After divorcing when Marshall was an infant, they lived a transient life before settling in Detroit. There, Marshall developed an interest in hip-hop and eventually became Eminem.
Despite their tumultuous relationship, Eminem paid tribute to his mother in his 2002 song “Lose Yourself,” referencing “Mom’s spaghetti,” which later became part of his restaurant and pasta line. However, in the 2009 song “My Mom,” he connected his struggles with drug addiction to her alleged pill use, claiming she had sprinkled Valium on his food.
Eminem’s 2013 song “Headlights” showed him expressing regret for his past lyrics and a deeper understanding of his mother’s struggles.
Though their relationship remained distant, Eminem’s 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction was marked by Nelson publicly congratulating him with a video, which she later deleted.
Nelson is survived by her other son, Nathan Mathers, and several grandchildren. She had been married and divorced multiple times and ran a taxi service in St. Joseph, Missouri, where she lived with her last husband, John Briggs.
