Musicians have often used music to express how they feel. Eminem is no different; he introduced his fans to his mother, Deborah R. Nelson-Mathers, through his music early on in his career.
Eminem rapped about the poor relationship that he shared with his mother from the onset of his career. Many people to date still question whether this is the accurate depiction of their relationship. Here is everything you need to know about Debbie Mathers, including details about her relationship with her son and more.
Table of Contents
- Biography of Deborah R. Nelson-Mathers
- Profile Summary
- Upbringing and Early Life Challenges
- Marriage Life and Parenthood
- Popularity Through Eminem's Music
- Current Life and Relationship with Eminem
Biography of Deborah R. Nelson-Mathers
Debbie Nelson was born on January 6, 1955, to Bob Nelson and Betty Hixson. As of 2021, Debbie's age is 66 years. Growing up, she faced numerous challenges that shaped her life and relationship with her son, Eminem.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Birth Date: | 6th January 1955 |
| Age: | 66 years old (as of 2021) |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 5 ft 3 in (1.60m) |
| Weight: | 121 lbs (55 Kg) |
| Body Measurements: | 35-26-36 inches |
| Eye Color: | Hazel |
| Hair Color: | Blonde |
Upbringing and Early Life Challenges
Debbie had a pretty rough upbringing as her parents were constantly fighting. Her parents split up while she was still young, and her mother soon got remarried. Debbie's stepdad was abusive towards her, and her mother even attempted to commit suicide several times, leaving a lasting impact on her emotional well-being.
Tragically, Eminem's mom lost two brothers to suicide. Her brother, Todd Nelson, killed himself in 2004, found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a running car outside his son's home. Her other brother, Ronnie Polkingham, also committed suicide, adding to the family's struggles.
Marriage Life and Parenthood
Debbie met her first husband, Marshall Bruce II, at Lancaster High School, and she quit school to marry him at the young age of 15. Debbie gave birth to Eminem when she was still a teenager. His birth was a difficult one as she went into labor for an exhausting 73 hours.
Eminem's parents were in a band called Daddy Warbucks, which played at various venues in the Midwest. Their lifestyle required constant moving, leading to instability in Eminem's early life.
When Eminem was just six months old, his father left the family. This led to a life of poverty for Debbie and Eminem as they moved back and forth between Kansas City and Detroit.
Popularity Through Eminem's Music
Debbie gained popularity thanks to her son, who became famous in the late '90s for his talent as a rapper. However, this fame came with challenges, as Eminem accused her of being abusive towards him and his brother Nathan in his lyrics.
In 1999, Debbie took legal action against her son for slandering her name in his songs and interviews. She claimed that the narratives presented in his music were false and created by those working for him.
Current Life and Relationship with Eminem
Today, Debbie lives with her husband, John Briggs, in St. Joseph, Missouri, where she operates a taxi service. She has also authored a book titled My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, released in 2008, which provides her perspective on their tumultuous relationship.
The relationship between Eminem and his mother has evolved over the years. After a long period of estrangement, Eminem apologized to her in his 2013 song Headlights, demonstrating that they now have mutual love and respect for each other. The family is closer now than it was two decades ago.
