Deborah Rae Nelson, also known as Debbie Mathers, was an American author. She was the mother of American rapper Eminem. Nelson was known for her troubled relationship with her son, and also gained recognition for her autobiography My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, in which she shared her experiences and perspective on their family. She sued Eminem in 1999, and filed a defamation lawsuit against him in 2002, citing distress caused by his lyrics, including mentions of drug abuse and neglect. Nelson had lung cancer from September 2024, and Eminem provided her with financial support, with the two having reportedly reconciled their relationship.