WASHINGTON — Debbie Nelson, the mother of rapper Eminem, died Monday evening. She was 69.
Nelson died from complications related to lung cancer in St. Joseph, Missouri, according to People, Rolling Stones and Billboard. Her lung cancer diagnosis was first revealed in September, according to TMZ.
The Grammy-winning rapper and his mother had a tumultuous relationship, with Nelson famously suing her son for defamation in 1999 over lyrics in his debut album. While a judge ruled in her favor at the time, she was granted only $25,000 of the $11 million she originally asked for, ABC News reported at the time.
Throughout his decades-long career, Eminem has rapped about their rocky relationship including “Cleaning’ Out My Closet,” “My Name Is” and “Headlights,” which fans speculate was an apology to his mother.
“And I’m mad I didn’t get the chance to thank you for being my mom and my dad,” Eminem says in “Headlights.” So Mom, please accept this as a tribute I wrote on this jet.”
Nelson most recently celebrated her son online after 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,” Nelson said at the time in a social media 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.”
Nelson wrote a memoir about her life in 2007 titled “My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem.”