Eminem’s Grandmother, Betty Kresin, Dies at 87

Eminem is mourning the loss of his maternal grandmother, Betty Kresin, who passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2026, at her home in Missouri, according to reports from TMZ and The Daily Mail. She was 87 years old.

A Battle with Breast Cancer

Kresin’s death followed a battle with breast cancer, with complications from the illness cited as the cause, entertainmentnow.com reports.

A Complicated Relationship

While details surrounding the rapper’s presence at the time of her death remain unconfirmed, reports indicate Eminem was not with her during her final moments. Their relationship, though filled with love, was also marked by public disagreements regarding his music.

In a 2000 interview with the London Mirror, Kresin expressed her discomfort with her grandson’s explicit lyrics. “When I hear his vile disgusting lyrics I can’t believe this is my Marshall,” she said, referencing Eminem’s birth name. “The same boy who used to approach and sit on my lap.”

However, she also offered context, acknowledging the broader musical landscape and the demand for such content. “He’s no worse than the rest of them. I don’t like some of the lyrics myself, but this is what the people wish to hear,” she explained. “If they’re going to criticise my grandson, criticise the rest of them. What about Limp Bizkit? And Ozzy Osbourne, who used to eat live bats on stage.”

Kresin also lamented what she perceived as unfair scrutiny directed at Eminem, stating, “They seem to be singling my grandson out. They’re picking on him.” Despite their differences, she conveyed deep affection, saying, “He’s my first grandchild, I was there then he opened his eyes, I love that boy. I want to stop this war between us because life’s too short – I want him to hang in there, because everything’s going to be okay.”

Recent Family Events

Kresin’s passing comes less than two years after the death of Eminem’s mother, Debbie Nelson, who died in December 2024 at age 69 from complications related to lung cancer, The Daily Mail reported.

In April 2025, Eminem became a grandfather when his daughter, Hailie Jade Scott, gave birth to a son, Elliot Marshall McClintock, entertainmentnow.com noted. The pregnancy was subtly revealed in Eminem’s October 2024 music video for “Temporary.”

No Public Comment Yet

As of Thursday, March 12, 2026, Eminem has not yet issued a public statement regarding his grandmother’s death.