News | Entertainment
5 Feb 2026 10:12
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Eminem's mother Debbie Nelson has died

    The 52-year-old rap icon's 69-year-old parent is said to have battled lung cancer and passed away on Monday (01.12.24) in St. Joseph, Missouri, according to TMZ


    The 'Lose Yourself' hitmaker and Debbie had a rocky relationship, with the rapper documenting their ups and downs in hits including, 'Cleanin' Out My Closet' and 'Headlights'.

    The Mom's Spaghetti restaurant founder's mother's passing comes five years after his estranged father, Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr, passed away after a heart attack at the age of 67 in 2019.

    Debbie became pregnant with Eminem - whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III - when she was just 18 in 1972.

    She sued her son for $11 million for defamation because of the lyrics to 2002's 'Cleanin' Out My Closet', on which he rapped: "Now, I would never diss my own mama just to get recognition

    "Take a second to listen 'fore you think this record is dissin'

    But put yourself in my position, just try to envision

    Witnessin' your mama poppin' prescription pills in the kitchen."

    Eminem starred in the 2002 film '8 Mile', which was loosely based on his own life growing up in a trailer park and his strained relationship with his mother.

    It told the story of Jimmy "B-Rabbit" Smith Jr. (Eminem), a young white rapper trying to make it in the predominantly black hip-hop scene of Detroit.

    In an interview in 2008, Debbie admitted she wanted to put their differences aside.

    She told Village Voice: "I'm not ever gonna give up on my kids. I won't give up on anybody.

    "There's hope for everybody. It's a matter of just basically swallowing your pride. It's like a cashed check. It's over, it's done. You need to move on."

    By 2013, Eminem released 'Headlights' as an apology to his mom.

    He spat: "I went in headfirst, never thinking about who what I said hurt/My mom probably got it the worst."

    Eminem added: "And I'm mad I didn't get the chance to thank you for being my mom and my dad/So Mom, please accept this as a tribute I wrote on this jet."

    When her son was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Debbie congratulated him in a special video message.

    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.

    Debbie also had a second son called Nathan Samra-Mathers with Fred Samra Jr in 1986.

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     05 Feb: The Studio cast has cancelled a planned press day this week following the death of Catherine O'Hara
     05 Feb: Jelly Roll has called himself a "dumb redneck" who feels "disconnected" from politics
     05 Feb: Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy has been confirmed missing and foul play hasn't been ruled out
     05 Feb: Jelly Roll credited Bunnie Xo with saving his life following his success at the Grammys
     05 Feb: Billie Eilish called for collective action amid unrest in the US, after winning the Grammy for Song of the Year
     05 Feb: Bad Bunny insisted the only thing "more powerful than hate is love" after winning a Grammy Award
     05 Feb: Kendrick Lamar has become the most-decorated rap artist in the history of the Grammy Awards
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Super Rugby boss Jack Mesley is bullocking past any criticism of the competition's latest law trials More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    A record financial result for Christchurch's Lyttelton Port Company More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    The Studio cast has cancelled a planned press day this week following the death of Catherine O'Hara 10:01

    International:
    A 'ghost airport' and sinkhole highway as Timor-Leste gambles on oil and gas with Greater Sunrise project 9:57

    Entertainment:
    Jelly Roll has called himself a "dumb redneck" who feels "disconnected" from politics 9:31

    Business:
    A record financial result for Christchurch's Lyttelton Port Company 9:27

    Entertainment:
    Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy has been confirmed missing and foul play hasn't been ruled out 9:01

    Entertainment:
    Jelly Roll credited Bunnie Xo with saving his life following his success at the Grammys 8:31

    Rugby League:
    Former Kiwi Tony Kemp has applauded Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'landys for his ambition, as State of Origin looks poised for Auckland's Eden Park in 2027 8:27

    Living & Travel:
    Westport's only air link could be cut within months 8:27

    Entertainment:
    Billie Eilish called for collective action amid unrest in the US, after winning the Grammy for Song of the Year 8:01

    Business:
    More uncertainty for dairy farmers who supply Canterbury milk processing firm Synlait 7:47


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd