Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. was the father of the popular rapper Eminem. Most people are familiar with Eminem and his music, but little is known about his father. In this article, we inform you of key facts about Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. and his life.
Quick Facts About Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr.
Full Name | Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. |
Birthdate | June 30, 1951 |
Occupation | N/A |
Husband/Wife | Married Debbie Mathers (mother of Eminem) |
Died | 26 June 2019 |
Age at Death | 67 years |
Parents | Not Known |
Grandchildren | Hailie Jade, Alaina Marie Mathers, Stevie Laine |
Children | Eminem (Son), Sarah Mathers (Daughter), Michael Mathers (Son), Nathan Mathers (Son) |
Net Worth | <$1 million |
Early Life and Family
Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. was born on June 30, 1951. Marshall married a young lady by the name of Deborah Nelson. She was just 15 years old when they tied the knot. Marshall was 22 years old at the time. Two years after, in 1972, Marshall Bruce Mathers III was born. You probably know him by the name Eminem.
Leaving the Family
Sadly, Marshall Jr. departed from the family when Eminem was nearly one and a half years old. Then he never remained in contact with his son or wife after that. Eminem’s mother brought him up virtually on her own. Eminem attempted to get in contact with his dad during his childhood. He wrote to him, but the letters were returned labeled “return to sender.” This indicated that his dad did not want to see his face.
Life After Leaving
After leaving Eminem and his mother, Marshall Jr. relocated to California. There, he started a new family with another woman. He had two more children. One of them was a daughter named Sarah Mathers. Eminem never met his half-siblings. He also never met his dad again.
Marshall Jr.’s life was difficult. He had substance abuse issues with drugs and alcohol. He supposedly lived a quiet life and wasn’t very involved in his family life. Even in his second family, he wasn’t very close and caring.
Relationship with Eminem
Eminem’s music tends to speak of how he feels about his father. Most of his songs express sadness, anger, and hurt since his dad abandoned him. Tracks such as “My Name Is” and “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” narrate how tough it was to live without his father. Eminem has not concealed how much this influenced him.
Marshall Jr. once penned a letter. In the letter, he mentioned Eminem’s mother kept him from his son. But Eminem never met or spoke with his dad again. The two never patched things up or repaired their relationship.
A Daughter Sees Eminem
Marshall Jr. did not think the rapper on television was his son at one point. But his daughter Sarah recognized the resemblance. She attempted to reach Eminem and informed him that they were kin. Nevertheless, Eminem remained distant from his father.
Marshall Jr.’s Death
Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. passed away on June 26, 2019. He was 67 years old when he died. He died close to Fort Wayne, Indiana. His death was reported to be due to a heart attack in his house.
Why This Matters
Marshall Jr.’s story is important because it shows part of Eminem’s life that many don’t know. The struggle Eminem faced as a child without his father shaped the person he became. It also shows how family problems can impact a child deeply.
Eminem’s songs have inspired a lot of individuals with difficult family backgrounds. His life teaches us that no matter how difficult life is, we can always find a means to speak out and heal.
READ ALSO: Eminem Net worth, Age, Girlfriend, Family, Facts & More
Summary
- Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. was Eminem’s dad.
- He was born in 1951 and passed away in 2019.
- He abandoned his family when Eminem was just a toddler.
- Eminem never got along with him.
- Marshall Jr. had other kids with another woman.
- Eminem’s music frequently speaks of what he feels about his father.
- Marshall Jr. died of a heart attack.
Although they were separated, the story of Marshall Bruce Mathers Jr. is a part of Eminem’s life. It molded the man and musician the world is familiar with today.