Early Life and Education of Eminem: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Eminem. A timeline of key moments.

Eminem, born Marshall Mathers III, is a highly influential American rapper, songwriter, and producer. Widely considered one of hip-hop's greatest, he is recognized for popularizing the genre in Middle America and challenging racial barriers, paving the way for white rappers. Although his controversial lyrics sparked debate in the late 90s and early 2000s, he became a voice for the angst of the American underclass.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

October 17, 1972: Marshall Mathers III Born

On October 17, 1972, Marshall Bruce Mathers III, who is professionally known as Eminem, was born. He would become an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is considered one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time.

1982: Lawsuit Filed After Assault

In 1982, Eminem's mother, Debbie, filed a lawsuit against the public school after Eminem was severely injured in an assault by a bully named D'Angelo Bailey. The lawsuit was later dismissed.

1984: Michael Jackson's Hair Caught Fire

In 1984, during the filming of a commercial, Michael Jackson's hair caught fire, an incident that was later parodied in Eminem's "Just Lose It" music video in 2004, leading to controversy.

1986: Birth of Half-Brother Nathan

In 1986, Eminem's mother, Debbie, had a son named Nathan "Nate" Kane Samara with her then boyfriend Fred Samara.

1987: Kim Scott Moves In

In 1987, Debbie allowed Kimberly Anne "Kim" Scott to stay at their home, marking the beginning of a significant relationship in Eminem's life.

January 14, 1991: Beginning of Relationship with Kimberly Anne Scott

On January 14, 1991, Eminem began an on-and-off relationship with Kimberly Anne Scott, whom he had met in high school after she and her twin sister moved in with him and his mother at age 15.

1991: Death of Uncle Ronnie Polkingharn

Following his uncle Ronnie Polkingharn's suicide in 1991, Eminem stopped speaking publicly for days and did not attend his funeral.

December 25, 1995: Birth of Daughter Hailie Jade

On December 25, 1995, Eminem's only biological child, Hailie Jade, was born to Kimberly Anne Scott.

March 1997: Fired from Gilbert's Lodge

In March 1997, Eminem was fired from Gilbert's Lodge for the last time and lived in his mother's mobile home with Kim and Hailie.

June 14, 1999: First Marriage to Kimberly Anne Scott

On June 14, 1999, Eminem married Kimberly Anne Scott for the first time.

1999: Hinting at Avoiding Drugs

In his 1999 single "My Name Is", Eminem hinted that he avoided drug use due to his mother's history of drug abuse.

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October 12, 2001: First Divorce from Kimberly Anne Scott

On October 12, 2001, Eminem and Kimberly Anne Scott divorced for the first time.

2002: Development of Drug Addiction

According to friend and fellow D12 member Proof, Eminem developed a drug addiction in 2002, beginning with Ambien to combat insomnia during the production of 8 Mile, eventually leading to a severe dependence on prescription drugs like Vicodin and Valium.

2002: Dating Rumors with Mariah Carey

In 2002, Eminem claimed to have dated singer Mariah Carey, though she later denied the relationship.

2002: Eminem's Declaration against Remarriage

In 2002, Eminem stated that "I would rather have a baby through my penis than get married again", expressing his strong aversion to remarriage at the time.

2003: "Weird Al" Yankovic's experience with Eminem

In 2003, Eminem forced "Weird Al" Yankovic to halt production on the video for his "Lose Yourself" parody, titled "Couch Potato", because he thought it would be harmful to his image or career.

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January 14, 2006: Second Marriage to Kimberly Anne Scott

On January 14, 2006, Eminem remarried Kimberly Anne Scott briefly.

April 2006: Death of Proof

In April 2006, Proof, Eminem's childhood friend, was murdered. This event deeply affected Eminem, and Proof was later featured on the compilation album Eminem Presents: The Re-Up, released in December 2006.

December 18, 2006: Finalization of Second Divorce from Kimberly Anne Scott

On December 18, 2006, Eminem and Kimberly Anne Scott finalized their second divorce, agreeing to joint custody of their daughter, Hailie.

December 2007: Hospitalized After Methadone Overdose

In December 2007, Eminem was hospitalized after a methadone overdose, which he initially purchased from a dealer who misrepresented it as a safer alternative to Vicodin. His condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his collapse and near-death experience, requiring hospitalization. He narrowly survived, being told he was about two hours from dying.

2007: Jackson Buys Famous Music

In 2007, Michael Jackson and Sony bought Famous Music from Viacom. This acquisition gave Jackson the rights to songs by Eminem, among other artists.

April 20, 2008: Sober Date

Eminem has been sober since April 20, 2008. After a near-fatal overdose in December 2007, Eminem sought help, including mentorship from Elton John, and has maintained sobriety since April 20, 2008.

2009: Chris Brown pleads guilty to felony assault involving Rihanna

In 2009, Chris Brown pleaded guilty to felony assault involving Rihanna.

2010: Denial of Renewed Romantic Relationship with Kimberly Anne Scott

In early 2010, Eminem denied tabloid reports that he and Kimberly Anne Scott had renewed their romantic relationship, though his representative confirmed that they remained friendly.

2013: Turning down lead role in Elysium

In 2013, Eminem was offered the lead role in the science-fiction film Elysium, but he turned it down because the director would not change the location from Los Angeles to Detroit.

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2013: Demolition of Childhood Home

In 2013, the State of Michigan demolished Eminem's childhood home after it was damaged by arson.

2013: Release of "Headlights"

In his 2013 song "Headlights", Eminem reiterated his love for his mother and apologized to her for some of the lyrics from his songs, specifically mentioning "Cleanin' Out My Closet".

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2017: Mom's Spaghetti Pop-Up in Detroit

In 2017, prior to the establishment of the permanent restaurant, Mom's Spaghetti was a pop-up food event in Detroit, offering fans a taste of the iconic lyric made real.

2017: Manchester Arena bombing

In 2017, the Manchester Arena bombing took place.

2018: Mom's Spaghetti Pop-Up at Coachella

In 2018, Mom's Spaghetti was featured as a pop-up food event at Coachella, expanding the reach of the culinary concept beyond Detroit.

2018: Secret Service Interview

In 2018, the Secret Service interviewed Eminem regarding threatening lyrics towards President Trump and his daughter Ivanka.

2019: Previous Attempted Break-in

In 2019, Matthew David Hughes had pleaded guilty to breaking into a Rochester Hills home in search of Eminem, predating the April 2020 home invasion.

2019: Secret Service Interview

In 2019, the Secret Service interviewed Eminem regarding threatening lyrics towards President Trump and his daughter Ivanka.

April 2020: Home Invasion

In April 2020, Matthew David Hughes broke into Eminem's house, claiming he was there to kill Eminem. Hughes was later charged with multiple offenses.

2020: COVID-19 Relief Donations

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Eminem contributed to relief efforts by donating a pair of rare Air Jordan 4 Retro Eminem Carhartt shoes to be raffled off for charity, and by donating spaghetti meals to healthcare workers at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, referencing his song "Lose Yourself".

September 29, 2021: Opening of Mom's Spaghetti Restaurant

On September 29, 2021, Eminem and Union Joints opened Mom's Spaghetti, a spaghetti restaurant in Detroit at 2131 Woodward Ave, referencing the lyrics "His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy / There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti" from his song "Lose Yourself".

2021: Home invasion plea deal

In 2021, Matthew David Hughes pleaded guilty to second-degree home invasion in exchange for dismissal of other charges and was sentenced to probation and time served (524 days in the county jail). In April 2020 he had broken into Eminem's house.

November 2022: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

In November 2022, Eminem was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with his mother publicly paying tribute to him during the ceremony.

2023: Launch of Mom's Spaghetti Jarred Pasta Sauce

In 2023, Eminem announced the launch of a jarred pasta sauce product under the name "Mom's Spaghetti", extending the brand into retail food products.

December 2024: Removal of portions of mother's tribute

In December 2024, after Nelson's death due to complications from lung cancer, parts of her message was removed from some of Eminem's social media pages.