Originally appeared on E! On-line

EminemThe family mourns the loss of a loved one.

The “Without Me” rapper’s mother Debbie Nelson has died at age 69 following a battle with advanced lung cancer, his rep confirms to E! News December 3rd. News of her death comes nearly three months after several media outlets reported that she was battling a terminal illness.

Nelson was born and married on a military base in Kansas in 1955 Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. when she was 15, according to her 2008 memoir My son Marshall, my son Eminem. She became pregnant with Eminem – her real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III– 16 months later and moved to Michigan, where her maternal grandmother lived.

In the early days of his career, Eminem publicly accused his mother of abuse and highlighted the strain on their relationship in several songs, including “Cleanin’ Out My Closet.”

“I would never discredit my own mama just to get recognition,” he rapped on the 2002 single. “Take a second to listen before you think this record is dissin’. / But put yourself in my shoes, just try to imagine it / Witness your mother taking prescription pills in the kitchen.”

However, Nelson has spoken out against her son’s writing and denied his accusations in her biography.

“What mother wants to be known as a pill-popping alcoholic living on welfare?” she wrote at the time. “None of it was true, but the lies grew and eventually Marshall and I became estranged.”

The Grammy winner later shared that his view of their relationship had changed over the years, noting that he had a different outlook as he got older.

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However, Nelson has spoken out against her son’s texts and denied his accusations.

“What mother wants to be known as a pill-popping alcoholic living on welfare?” she wrote in her biography. “None of it was true, but the lies grew and eventually Marshall and I became estranged.”

The Grammy winner later shared that his view of their relationship has changed over the years, noting that he has had a different outlook as he has gotten older.

“One of the things I’ve said and realized is that ultimately she’s my mother and I love her because she’s a mother,” he said during an appearance on BET in 2009 106 & Park. “I mean, even if we don’t really talk, she’s my mother. I really love her and I think I’ve gotten a better understanding of what she’s been through or what she might be going through now that I see myself and know what I’ve actually become. I think there’s a little compassion factor that comes with it.”

But he admitted they hadn’t reconnected at that point, adding that the last time the two spoke was “probably a few years ago, probably about three, maybe four years, something like that.” something like that.”

He also expressed regret over sharing his family drama with the world, describing the rift in his 2013 song “Headlights.”

“I went in headfirst, never thinking about who hurt who, what I said,” he said. “In which verse did my mother probably have it the worst? The brunt of it, but as stubborn as we are, have I gone too far? / “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” and all the other songs / But whatever, I don’t hate you because, Ma. / You are still beautiful to me because you are my mom.

TMZ was first to report the news.

Read on for a more detailed look at Eminem’s family tree.

Kim Mathers

Hailie Jade Scott

Alaina Marie Scott

Stevie Laine Scott

Debbie Nelson

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