Nate Mathers, Eminem’s half-brother, broke his silence with a brief yet poignant message reflecting the family’s complicated history.
Debbie Nelson, the mother of Eminem and his half-brother Nate Mathers, passed away on December 2 at the age of 69, following complications from lung cancer. Her diagnosis had been made public in September.
Nate was the first from the family to comment on her passing, sharing a brief but telling message on his Instagram account:
Hatred and mixed emotions today.
Eminem, who has not commented publicly yet, had a well-documented and turbulent relationship with his mother. Fans may recall lines from his 2002 track “Cleanin’ Out My Closet”, where he openly addressed his feelings toward her and promised that Hailie wouldn’t attend her funeral. Despite a reconciliation hinted at in the 2013 song “Headlights”, reports suggest they remained estranged until her death.
Nate was placed in foster care as a child until Eminem finally managed to adopt him officially. Marshall made his first and failed attempt to become a legal guardian of his younger half-brother, being just 20 years old. He kept trying until Nate joined Em’s family unit, where he cared for children from both sides of his crumbling family, providing them with love, support, and safety they could not find elsewhere.
Nate has since carved his own path as a DJ and music producer. His brief statement reflects the complexity of their family history, and many fans have expressed condolences to Eminem and his family during this tough time.
