News | Entertainment
7 Feb 2026 19:51
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
     07 Feb: Dove Cameron was "celibate" before meeting her fiance
     07 Feb: Chris Pratt treats every day like Valentine's Day
     07 Feb: Jesse Eisenberg is a "daily patron" of the New York Public Library
     07 Feb: Jennifer Garner once bit a portion of a stunt performer's ear off
     07 Feb: Nick Jonas' daughter needed to be resuscitated shortly after she was born
     07 Feb: Catherine, Princess of Wales has shared a heartfelt message to commemorate World Cancer Day (04.02.26)
     07 Feb: Jason Kelce finds it "weird" that Travis Kelce isn't in this year's Super Bowl
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Black Ferns Sevens have kicked off their Perth World Series campaign with a 34-12 victory over Japan in pool play More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Wastewater remediation works are running smoothly in Wellington's Moa Point, following Wednesday's sewerage leak More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Dove Cameron was "celibate" before meeting her fiance 19:31

    International:
    Thailand election stakes are high as progressives mount new challenge against establishment 19:27

    Law and Order:
    Nancy Guthrie may have been abducted in a 41-minute window, authorities say 19:07

    Entertainment:
    Chris Pratt treats every day like Valentine's Day 19:01

    Rugby:
    The Black Ferns Sevens have kicked off their Perth World Series campaign with a 34-12 victory over Japan in pool play 18:57

    Soccer:
    Auckland FC lead Sydney FC 1-nil midway through their A-League clash at Mt Smart 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Jesse Eisenberg is a "daily patron" of the New York Public Library 18:31

    Business:
    Wastewater remediation works are running smoothly in Wellington's Moa Point, following Wednesday's sewerage leak 18:17

    Wellington:
    State Highway 2 in Upper Hutt has reopend after being blocked through Kaitoke because of a 3-vehicle crash at the intersection with Waterworks Road 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Garner once bit a portion of a stunt performer's ear off 18:01


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd