Eminem’s mother, Debbie Nelson, has passed away at the age of 69.
A representative for Eminem confirmed this to People and TMZ.
She passed on December 2 due to complications from lung cancer.
Debbie was born in 1955 and grew up in what she described as a ‘large dysfunctional family’ in her 2008 memoir, My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem. She married at 16, and by 1972, she had given birth to the rapper known as ‘Slim Shady’.
The tumultuous relationship between Eminem and his mother has been in the spotlight since he gained fame over 25 years ago.
In 2022, Debbie appeared to have reconciled with her son to some extent by publicly congratulating him on being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
In a social media video, Debbie expressed her pride in her son’s accomplishment.
She said: “Marshall, I want to say, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame. I love you very much. I knew you’d get there. It’s been a long ride. I’m very, very proud of you.”
During the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Eminem stated: “I realise what an honour it is right now for me to be up here tonight, and what a privilege it is to do the music that I love, and the music that basically saved my life.
“So, I’m probably not supposed to actually be here tonight because of a couple of reasons. One of them that I’m a rapper, and this is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“And there’s only a few of us right now that have been inducted in already, but there’s only a few of us.”
Before this milestone, Eminem and Debbie’s relationship was notably strained.
In one track, Eminem accused his mother of using more drugs than he did, prompting Debbie to sue him for defamation.
The case ended with Debbie receiving $25,000, though most of it went to legal fees.
Debbie’s health issues were first reported by various sources in September, with TMZ breaking the news of her passing.