Eminem’s mother Debbie reportedly dead at age 69

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors

Eminem’s mother, Debbie Nelson, has died of lung cancer, according to TMZ. She was 69 years old.

The outlet reports that Nelson died in St. Joseph, Missouri, on the evening of Monday, December 2nd. A source told In contact in September that Nelson was “terminally ill with advanced lung cancer.”

It’s no secret that the 52-year-old rapper has had a contentious relationship with his mother over the years, rapping about their tumultuous ups and downs throughout his discography. Nelson, who gave birth to Eminem when she was 18 years old, later sued her son for defamation in 1999 over lyrics about her on his album, The Slim Shady LP. She also published a memoir titled My son Marshall, my son Eminemin 2007.

The Grammy-winning artist has dissed his mother in several songs, including “My Mom,” released in 2009, in which he claimed, “My mom loved Valium and lots of drugs.”

However, the couple seems to have mended their relationship over the years. Eminem released the song “Headlights” in 2013 and apologized for his anger towards her in the track.