Kim Mathers and Eminem have a long and complicated history. They were high school sweethearts, got married, divorced, and then remarried again before divorcing for a second time. Their relationship has played out in the public eye and Eminem’s music over the past couple decades. So are Kim and Eminem still friends today after everything they’ve been through?
Kim and Eminem’s Relationship History
Kim Mathers (née Scott) and Eminem (real name Marshall Mathers) first met in high school when they were 15 years old. They began dating on and off. In 1989, when Kim was 13 and Eminem was 15, she ran away from home and moved in with him and his mother. Their relationship was tumultuous from the start.
In 1995, Kim gave birth to their daughter Hailie. Eminem worked minimum wage jobs to support his new family. Even after making it big with his rap career, Eminem and Kim had a rocky relationship. They married in 1999 but divorced two years later in 2001.
Despite the divorce, Eminem and Kim remarried in January 2006. However, the reconciliation only lasted a few months. In early April 2006, Eminem filed for divorce again. The couple’s second divorce was finalized later that year in December 2006.
Much of the drama in Eminem and Kim’s relationship played out publicly due to Eminem’s fame. His lyrics frequently referenced and criticized Kim. Some songs like “’97 Bonnie & Clyde” described violent fantasies about killing her. Other songs like “Hailie’s Song” expressed Eminem’s love for Kim and regret over their issues.
Eminem and Kim’s Relationship After the Divorces
Eminem and Kim maintained a civil co-parenting relationship for the sake of their daughter Hailie after their second divorce in 2006. But it took time for any friendship to develop between the exes. In the early years post-divorce, their interactions were strictly related to parenting.
Gradually over the years though, Eminem and Kim were able to establish an amicable friendship. By 2009, Eminem told reporters at a press conference, “I’m not really sure how Kim and I went from not talking at all to becoming really good friends, but we have.”
He said they had meaningful conversations about life and raising their daughter. Eminem also publicly apologized for offensive lyrics about Kim. He said he was in a dark place battling addiction and mental health issues at the time.
In 2010, Eminem and Kim even reconciled as close friends and were rumored to be getting back together. However, those rumors ultimately died down and the two maintained a platonic friendship.
Signs Eminem and Kim are Still Friends Today
It’s now been over 15 years since Eminem and Kim’s second divorce. And there are many signs indicating the exes have remained close friends:
- They co-parent their daughter Hailie, who is now 27 years old. They attend important events together like Hailie’s high school graduation and college graduation.
- When Eminem was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Kim was there to support him and watch him accept the honor.
- Kim continues to embrace Eminem’s side of the family, especially his mother Debbie Mathers.
- Eminem speaks kindly about Kim now in interviews, saying he cares for her greatly and is thankful she is a part of his life.
- Rumors surfaced in 2020 that Kim was staying with Eminem at his Detroit home during the pandemic quarantine period so they could both spend time with Hailie.
While it’s impossible to know every detail about Eminem and Kim’s current dynamic, they appear to have worked hard to move past their romantic relationship and establish a caring friendship as co-parents and longtime close companions.
Why Eminem and Kim Managed to Become Friends After Divorce
There are a few key factors that likely helped Eminem and Kim transcend their painful romantic history and forge an amicable friendship:
Maturity
They were teenagers when they first met and had a volatile on-again, off-again relationship. Both Eminem and Kim were able to mature over the years and develop healthier mindsets and communication skills to relate to each other in a more positive way.
Sober Lifestyles
At the height of their turbulence, both Eminem and Kim struggled with substance abuse issues. By maintaining sobriety later in life, they became more level-headed and able to work together in a constructive manner.
Focusing on Co-Parenting
Making their daughter Hailie the priority enabled Eminem and Kim to come together effectively as co-parents. Their shared love for Hailie motivated them to get along better.
Forgiveness
Choosing forgiveness over holding grudges was key. Eminem apologized for offensive lyrics and past mistakes. Kim forgave him. They were able to have a clean slate to rebuild a new friendship.
Therapy
Eminem especially credits individual therapy for helping him work through unresolved emotions toward Kim and approach their relationship more thoughtfully. Therapy equipped them with tools for healthy communication.
Overall, maturity, sobriety, focusing on their daughter, forgiveness, and therapy all played crucial roles in transforming Eminem and Kim from exes to friends.
What Their Friendship Looks Like Today
Based on recent interviews and reports, below is an overview of what Eminem and Kim’s current friendship looks like:
- They primarily connect about parenting Hailie. They support Hailie together and want to be a united front for major events.
- They spend time together with family. For holidays and Hailie’s big events, they come together as a blended family unit.
- They have honest talks about the past. Without residual animosity, they are able to have open conversations about their history.
- They support each other’s sobriety. Having both struggled with substance abuse, they check in and provide accountability.
- Eminem supports Kim’s entrepreneurship. Kim started a home decor business that Eminem has encouraged.
- Kim supports Eminem’s career. She attends his concerts, award shows, and other major professional events.
While Eminem and Kim likely still have complex emotions toward one another deep down, they appear focused on maintaining a cordial friendship today based on mutual care, maturity, and respect.
Conclusion
Despite two turbulent divorces and many public ups and downs, Eminem and Kim have remarkably transitioned to a solid friendship today. They will always share the connection of raising their daughter Hailie. By overcoming past hurts through sobriety, therapy, and active forgiveness, Eminem and Kim now have an amicable companionship.
Their story is an inspirational example of how ex-spouses can still remain close friends post-divorce through conscious effort. Eminem and Kim’s friendship demonstrates the possibilities of human connection and growth, even after painful breakups. If these two could become close friends again, it shows that friendship after divorce is truly attainable.