Eminem’s brother Nate Mathers expresses ‘hatred and mixed emotions’ after mom Debbie Nelson’s death

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nathan "Nate" Kane Mathers, Eminem's younger half-brother, has seemingly expressed his reaction to their mother Debbie Nelson's death at age 69 following a battle with advanced lung cancer.

Taking to Instagram Story on Tuesday, December 3, Nate revealed his conflicted feelings, writing, "Hatred and mixed emotions today."

While Nate seems to have addressed the loss, Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, has yet to comment on the news, first reported by TMZ earlier this week.

Debbie Nelson’s troubled family history

Debbie Nelson’s relationships with both of her sons were notoriously strained. Nate Mathers, now 38, was placed in foster care as a child before being adopted by Eminem when he was 16. Born to different fathers, the brothers grew up in a turbulent household, which Eminem has often reflected upon in his music, per Page Six.

Debbie Nelson maintained hope for healing. In a 2008 interview, she stated, “I’m not ever gonna give up on my kids … There’s hope for everybody. It’s a matter of swallowing your pride and moving on.”

The rapper famously detailed his contentious relationship with Debbie in tracks like 'Cleanin’ Out My Closet' but later expressed a desire for reconciliation in his 2013 song 'Headlights'.

In the heartfelt lyrics, Eminem admitted regret, rapping, “I went in headfirst, never thinking about who what I said hurt / My mom probably got it the worst.. I was mad I didn’t get the chance to thank you for being my mom and my dad.”

In her final months, Debbie split her time between a cancer center and family members. According to a September report by InTouch Weekly, her prognosis was dire, with few treatment options remaining.

An insider suggested that Eminem had not been in contact with his mother for years, though he reportedly ensured her financial well-being. “He’s good to his mom … but they don’t really talk,” the source said, adding that reconciliation might have been possible if the two had reconnected.

Eminem raised half-brother Nate Mathers after turbulent childhood in foster care

Eminem, one of the most candid voices in hip-hop, has long been known for channeling his tumultuous life experiences into his music. Beyond Eminem’s relationship with his mother Debbie Nelson, her death sheds light on the bond between the rapper and his half-brother, Nate, whom Eminem helped raise after Nate endured a turbulent childhood.

Eminem was born on October 17, 1972, when Debbie was just 17 years old. Thirteen years later, Debbie welcomed Nate in 1986 with her then-boyfriend Fred Samra. Although the siblings grew up together for a time, Nate’s childhood took a difficult turn when he was placed into foster care at age 8.

At the time, Eminem was in his early 20s, struggling to make ends meet and launch his music career. Despite his efforts, he couldn’t gain custody of Nate while he was still building his life.

Recalling those years in a 2004 Rolling Stone interview, per Distractify, Eminem said, “I cried just going to see him at the foster home. The day he was taken away, I was the only one allowed to see him. He didn’t know what was going on. The same thing that had happened in my life was happening in his.”

Once Eminem achieved fame and financial stability, he took action to change Nate’s life. In 2004, the rapper became Nate’s legal guardian, determined to provide his brother with the stability he had lacked. “If I get in position, I’m gonna stop all this s**t,” Eminem said, recalling his promise to himself. “And I got in position and did.”

Today, Nate Kane Mathers has followed in his brother’s footsteps, pursuing his own career in music and acting.

In addition to Nate, Eminem also has two half-siblings, Sarah and Michael, from his estranged father, Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr, who died in 2019. However, Eminem has chosen not to maintain any relationship with them.