Nathan “Nate” Mathers, the half-brother of rapper Eminem, has shared a raw and emotional message on social media after the death of their mother, Debbie Nelson, on December 2, 2024. The 38-year-old music producer posted a simple yet powerful message on his Instagram Stories: “Hatred and mixed emotions today.”
Nelson, 69, passed away from complications related to lung cancer in St. Joseph, Missouri. The news of her death was confirmed by a representative for Eminem (real name Marshall Mathers III) to People, with TMZ being the first to report the tragic news. The rapper’s mother had battled illness for several months, with reports of her condition surfacing back in September.
For Nathan, who was born to Nelson and her partner Fred Samra, this loss comes with a complicated history. Debbie Nelson’s relationship with her sons was marked by turmoil and strain, especially with Eminem, who famously voiced his anger and frustration with her in his music. But for Nathan, the emotions are far more mixed, and he’s grappling with feelings that seem to range from grief to unresolved anger.
Debbie Nelson’s life was a mixture of hardship and controversy. She was married to Marshall Mathers Jr., Eminem’s father, but their union fell apart, leaving Eminem to be raised primarily by his mother. However, Debbie’s relationship with her son was far from smooth. Eminem has been outspoken about their troubled bond, using his music as an outlet for his feelings, most notably in the 2002 track “Cleanin’ Out My Closet,” where he vented his frustrations with his mother.
The song became infamous for its raw depiction of the estranged relationship between mother and son, and it led to a lawsuit from Debbie Nelson, who sought $11 million in damages for defamation.
Eminem’s relationship with Nathan was shaped by the same complexities. After their father abandoned them, Eminem stepped up to become Nathan’s legal guardian when Nathan was just 16. The rapper had spent much of his youth in foster care, and after a tumultuous childhood, he promised himself that if he were ever in a position to help his younger brother, he would.
In a 2004 interview with Rolling Stone, Eminem recalled the heart-wrenching moment when Nathan was taken into foster care. “I cried just going to see him at the foster home,” Eminem recalled. “The day he was taken away, I was the only one allowed to see him. He didn’t know what the f— was going on. The same thing that had happened in my life was happening in his.” Eminem’s guardianship came at a time when he was dealing with his own complicated relationship with his mother, but despite their differences, he remained determined to give Nathan the stability he lacked.
“I always said if I ever get in a position to take him, I would take him,” Eminem said. “I tried to apply for full custody when I was 20, but I didn’t have the means.”
Nathan, now a father of three, has consistently spoken about how Eminem’s role in his life shaped who he is today. In an interview on Eminem’s daughter Hailie Jade’s podcast, Just a Little Shady, Nathan shared how his brother became the father figure he never had. “He was the best role model I could have had to help me be the dad that I am today,” Nathan said, reflecting on the guidance and stability Eminem provided despite their tumultuous family background.
Despite the public feud with their mother, Nathan has described Eminem as a steady and positive influence. “He was there when I needed him the most,” Nathan continued. “He stepped up for me, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”
The brothers have also weathered their share of public drama. After Nathan’s mother’s death, Eminem’s public silence on the matter has left many wondering how the rapper is coping with the loss of his estranged mother. While Eminem has not publicly commented on his mother’s passing as of yet, it’s clear that Nathan’s grief is layered with complex emotions that go beyond mere sadness. For Nathan, this loss brings a mixture of resentment, anger, and sorrow, underscoring the tangled history of his relationship with their mother.
The fraught relationship between Eminem and his mother is well-documented, both in his music and in the public eye. Debbie Nelson’s attempts to sue her son for defamation, combined with their emotional confrontations, have made their bond one of the most controversial celebrity relationships. However, with her passing, many fans are left wondering how this final chapter will shape Eminem’s feelings and how it will affect the family dynamics moving forward.
For now, Nathan Mathers continues to process the loss of his mother while balancing his emotions and the complexity of his family history. His candid post about “hatred and mixed emotions” serves as a stark reminder that grief is rarely a straightforward journey, especially when the relationship was as complicated as the one he shared with Debbie Nelson.
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