Debbie Nelson: Eminem’s mother, with whom he reconciled before her death

Born and raised near the infamous 8 Mile Boulevard in Detroit, Eminem developed his talent for rhyming to become one of the greatest rappers in the world and the best-selling artist of all time. Along the way, the musician, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, was able to win a total of 17 Grammy awards and even an Oscar for Best Original Song for «Lose Yourself» in 2003. Despite all the fame and wealth, Eminem struggled with his personal life. In many of his early rap songs, including the hit «Love the Way You Lie», - he mentioned his strained relationship with his mother, Debbie Nelson, who raised him as a single mother.

Debbie Nelson Mathers-Briggs was born in Missouri in 1955 on a military base to Bob and Betty Nelson, according to her memoir «My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem». She recounted that her parents constantly fought and eventually divorced, leaving Debbie to live with her mother, who worked at a strip club bar. At the age of 15, Debbie married Eminem’s father, Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. In her memoir, Debbie said that this decision was partly made to escape from her abusive stepfather.

Debbie gave birth to Marshall Mathers on October 17, 1972 after a difficult 72-hour labor. She nearly died from bleeding and seizures, which led to a temporary coma, according to her memoir. Born premature and sickly, Eminem soon needed hospitalization due to pneumonia. Despite his illness, Debbie said that even as a newborn he was a true artist. «He knew exactly how to look at me from under his long dark lashes and put on a show», - she wrote.

Early in his career, Eminem never hesitated to accuse Debbie of drug use. In his song «My Name Is», - there are lines: "