Debbie Nelson, the mother of rap legend Eminem, has died at the age of 69 after a battle with lung cancer. Born in 1955 on a military base in Kansas, Nelson passed away on December 2, 2024, in St. Joseph, Missouri. Her death was confirmed by Dennis Dennehy, Eminem’s longtime representative.

Nelson’s relationship with her son, Marshall Bruce Mathers III, was famously turbulent and became a focal point in Eminem’s music. Tracks like “My Name Is” and “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” revealed their struggles, with Eminem accusing his mother of neglect and substance abuse. In response, Nelson filed a defamation lawsuit in 1999 over lyrics in his songs. The case was eventually settled out of court for $25,000, though Nelson later claimed it was her lawyer’s idea to sue.

Despite their rocky past, Nelson showed her pride in Eminem in recent years. In 2022, when Eminem was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she sent a heartfelt message congratulating him. “Marshall, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you,” she said in a video that was later deleted. “I love you very much. I knew you’d get there. It’s been a long ride. I’m very, very proud of you.”

In her final years, Nelson battled lung cancer, a fight she eventually lost. Her passing marks the end of a complex and highly publicized family saga. Eminem has not yet commented on her death, but fans are anticipating how this personal loss may influence his future work.