by In a powerful and emotional podcast interview that quickly went viral, rap icon Eminem opened up about what he considers the biggest accomplishment of his career—and it has nothing to do with awards or chart-topping albums.
“The Grammys are great. But waking up sober every day? That’s the real win,” Eminem shared during a candid moment that struck a chord with millions of fans around the world.
Now over 15 years sober, the 52-year-old music legend revealed deeply personal reflections on his battle with addiction, including three near-relapses that almost derailed his recovery. While he’s known for his razor-sharp lyrics and controversial bravado, the man behind Marshall Mathers showed an entirely different side—one that is humble, vulnerable, and profoundly grateful.
“I Didn’t Think I’d Make It”
Eminem—real name Marshall Bruce Mathers III—spoke about his darkest years in the early 2000s, when he struggled with a dangerous dependency on prescription drugs like Vicodin, Ambien, and methadone.
“There were days I couldn’t imagine performing again. I couldn’t imagine being a father. I couldn’t imagine being alive,” he said. “Getting clean wasn’t the end of it. It was just the beginning.”
He detailed how, even after completing rehab in 2008, there were moments when he nearly slipped. “There were at least three times I came close to relapsing,” Eminem admitted. “Times when I thought, ‘I’ve got this under control,’ but really, I was lying to myself.”
One Person Who Made the Difference
During the podcast, Eminem credited a “very special person” who helped keep him grounded through those temptations—his daughter, Hailie Jade.
“I’d look at her and remember why I started this fight in the first place,” he said, his voice trembling slightly. “Being present for her was more important than any high. Every time I felt weak, I reminded myself: she needs me sober, not six feet under.”
Hailie, now 29 and a public figure in her own right, has often spoken fondly of her father’s growth and dedication. While she’s maintained a relatively private life, her support has clearly been a guiding light in his journey.
“She was my anchor,” Eminem added. “You don’t stay clean for awards. You stay clean for life.”
A New Kind of Legacy
While Eminem’s accolades are nearly unmatched—15 Grammy Awards, an Oscar, and a spot in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—he emphasized that his sobriety has become the core of his identity.
“I’ve done stadium shows, sold millions of albums, worked with the biggest names in the world—but nothing feels as good as clarity,” he said.
Social media exploded with praise for his honesty. The hashtag #SoberFor15 trended globally within hours of the episode’s release. Fans shared their own stories of recovery and admiration, with many calling Eminem a role model not just for his music, but for his strength.
One fan posted, “The Marshall Mathers I grew up on was a rebel. The Marshall Mathers I see today is a warrior. Sober 15 years? That’s a king move.”
Another wrote, “Eminem is the reason I went to rehab. If he can fight this every day and win, so can I.”
Using His Voice for Good
This isn’t the first time Eminem has opened up about sobriety, but his recent tone is more reflective and focused on helping others. He hinted at upcoming projects focused on addiction recovery, including potential collaborations with rehabilitation programs in Detroit and across the country.
In 2020, he surprised fans by publicly thanking the people who helped him stay on track in a rare social media post marking 12 years sober. Now, at 15 years and counting, his mission seems even more purposeful.
“I don’t care how corny it sounds,” he said with a grin during the podcast. “If one person hears this and chooses to get help instead of getting high—then that’s bigger than any hit song I’ve ever written.”
For Eminem, the charts may come and go, but his sobriety—and the life it has given him—is the victory that matters most. And in a world of noise, his message is loud and clear: survival is the real success story.
