Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem and a prominent figure in his early music, has passed away at the age of 69.
The news was confirmed by Eminem’s representative, Dennis Dennehy, though no cause of death has been disclosed. Nelson was known to have been battling lung cancer. Eminem has not yet issued a public statement on her passing.
Nelson’s often contentious relationship with her son was a recurring theme in his early music, most notably in the 2002 hit Cleanin’ Out My Closet. In the song, Eminem made critical remarks about his mother, including accusations related to prescription drug use and questioning her role as a parent.
Their disagreements extended beyond music, with Nelson suing Eminem for defamation in 1999 over the lyrics in My Name Is. She later revealed that the lawsuit was instigated by her lawyer and settled out of court for $25,000.
Eminem has also linked his own struggles with prescription drug addiction to his mother’s experiences, reflecting the complex and deeply personal nature of their relationship.
