Eminem’s mom, Debbie Nelson, has died at the age of 69 following a battle with lung cancer, Us Weekly can confirm.
TMZ reported that Nelson died on Monday, December 2, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Her diagnosis was revealed in September, per the outlet.
A rep for Eminem, 52, confirmed the news to People.
The rapper (born Marshall Bruce Mathers III) has been candid through the years about his ups and downs with Nelson.
Eminem’s Family Guide in Photos: Meet His Children, Ex-Wife and Mother
In the 1999 track “My Name Is,” Eminem claimed that Nelson “does more dope than I do.” Nelson sued her son for defamation and won a settlement of $25,000 in 2001 after initially seeking $11 million in damages.
Nelson spoke out in her 2008 memoir, My Son, Marshall, My Son, Eminem, claiming, “If I made one mistake as a mother, it was giving in to my eldest son’s every whim.”
“He never knew his father, and I did all I could to make up for it,” she continued. “I wasn’t happy when he made up a whole new life for himself — what mother wants to be known as a pill-popping alcoholic who lives on welfare? To tell the truth, I was heartbroken.”
Eminem went on to apologize to his mom in the 2013 tune “Headlights.” He rapped, “I went in headfirst, never thinking about who, what I said hurt / In what verse, my mom probably got it the worst.”
“And I’m mad I didn’t get the chance to thank you for being my mom and my dad,” he also rapped in the song. “So Mom, please accept this as a tribute I wrote on this jet.”
Eminem’s Daughter Hailie Scott ‘Audibly Sobbed’ Hearing Songs About Her
Years later, Nelson publicly congratulated Eminem for his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Marshall, I want to say, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame,” Nelson said in a since-deleted video, per People. “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-out to Eminem’s daughter Hailie, whom he welcomed in December 1995 with ex-wife Kim Scott. (Eminem also adopted Stevie, who his ex-wife welcomed in 2002 with then-boyfriend Eric Hartter, and Alaina, who was born to Kim’s sister, Dawn Scott, in 1993.)
“And also I’m very proud of Hailie Jade, my big girl,” Nelson said in the video. “I want to tell you Hailie, great job on your podcast and God bless you guys. I love you very much.”
