Who Was Eminem’s Mom? Meet Debbie Nelson After Her Death at the Age 69

Debbie Nelson made headlines over the years amid her strained relationship with son Eminem. After she died at the age of 69 in December 2024, people are likely wondering who Debbie was and what her relationship with Eminem was like.

Who Was Debbie Nelson?

Debbie was best known for being the mother of rapper Eminem. She welcomed her first son, whose legal name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, in October 1972 with Marshall Bruce Mathers. She became a mother for a second time when she welcomed son Nathan Samra-Mathers in 1986 with a man named Fred Samara Jr.

Was Debbie Nelson Married?

Debbie got married for the first time in 1970 when she wed her high school sweetheart, Marshall, at the age of 16. The former couple split soon after they welcomed Eminem.

She found love again when she dated Fred. Eminem was 13 years old when his little brother was born, though Fred was no longer in the picture by the time that Nathan was born.

Debbie Nelson Was a Grandmother

Debbie had six grandchildren at the time of her death. While Eminem shares kids Hailie Jade Scott, Alaina Scott and Stevie Laine Scott with ex-wife Kim Scott, Nathan is the father to a daughter and two sons with his wife, Ashley Mae Mathers.

Debbie Nelson and Eminem Faced Many Struggles in Their Relationship

Eminem and Debbie had a complex relationship and faced several obstacles over the years. In 1999, she sued the “Lose Yourself” rapper for defamation after he implied that she did drugs in a song. The mother of two was awarded $25,000, though she only ended up with $1,600 once her legal fees were paid.

Debbie also opened up about her strained relationship with Eminem in her 2007 memoir, My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem. Years later, the “Without Me” rapper implied that he and Debbie were on better terms when he apologized for their issues in his 2013 track “Headlights.”

Nearly one decade later, Debbie showed her support for Eminem when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022. “Marshall, I want to say, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame,” she said in a now-deleted video. “I love you very much. I knew you’d get there. It’s been a long ride. I’m very, very proud of you.”

When Did Debbie Nelson Die?

Debbie died on December 2, 2024, at the age of 69 following her battle with lung cancer, TMZ reported at the time.

Three months before her passing, In Touch exclusively revealed that Debbie was “terminally ill with advanced lung cancer.”

“There are not many options [for Debbie],” an insider shared with In Touch in September 2024. “She is currently staying between the cancer center and with family members. She has a very limited amount of time [left].”

The source added that Eminem helped Debbie financially, though they weren’t in touch during her final months of life. “People around her aren’t even sure if Eminem is even aware of what is happening to his mother,” the insider stated. “He’s good to his mom. He makes sure he takes care of her, but they don’t really talk. It would be good for both of them [to communicate]. This could give them the chance to reconcile.”