Eminem is recovering from illness at home

Rapper Marshal Mathers, better known by his stage names Eminem, is recovering from a bout with pneumonia. The 35-year-old rap superstar was hospitalized during the festive season for a serious heart condition and severe pneumonia.

According to the rapper's publicist, Dennis Dennehy, Eminem has been released from the hospital and is recovering at his Michigan home. He was rushed to an unnamed Detroit-area hospital sometime during the Christmas/New Year period for heart problems arising from a bout of pneumonia.

"Over the holidays, Marshall Mathers, aka Eminem, was under doctor's care at a Detroit-area hospital for complications due to pneumonia," publicist Dennehy said Tuesday. "He has since been released and is doing well recovering at home."

Eminem’s weight has increased to over 200 lbs., which is significantly larger than his usual lean frame. His ballooned weight could suggest reason for his suspected heart condition.

The rapper has apparently been suffering from multiple health problems of late. In an interview with Complex magazine in 2006, he told about his lax position on fitness since 2005, and attributed it to his weight gain.

"I went through a little slacking phase, but I just got back into my regimen last week. So, I eat some nachos, and drink a Mountain Dew, and then I go hit the gym 'cause I just know I (EXPLETIVE DELETED) up," he had said during the interview.

Born on October 17 1972 in St. Joseph, MO, Eminem is a phenomenally successful, Oscar and multiple Grammy Award winning rapper, record producer, and actor from Detroit, Michigan.

Eminem was discovered by rapper and producer, Dr. Dre, who later signed him to his record label, Aftermath Entertainment.

Eminem has given many hits. In "'97 Bonnie & Clyde", Eminem mentioned about his daughter, Hailie. The Slim Shady LP, 1999 has a one-sided dialogue with Hailie. Even the "Hailie's Song" of The Eminem Show, 2002, "Mockingbird" of‘‘Encore’’, 2004, and "When I'm Gone" of Curtain Call: The Hits, 2005, all these indicate his love and dedication to her. In addition, Hailie's voice is recorded in the track "My Dad's Gone Crazy" (The Eminem Show, 2002).

With nine Grammy awards and one Academy award, Eminem had huge fan following, and was said to be interested in becoming a cartoonist even though he was devoted to music.

He has bagged Grammys, including best rap album for "The Slim Shady LP," "The Marshall Mathers LP" and "The Eminem Show," as well as an Oscar for the song "Lose Yourself" from "8 Mile" film.