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“The Prince Of Darkness” Ozzy Osbourne Dies Weeks After Farewell Show
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary rock star known both as a solo artist and frontman of Black Sabbath, has died. He was 76 years old.
The news of Ozzy’s death comes just weeks after his farewell show on July 5. During the performance, he reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward.
“You’ve got no idea how I feel,” a teary-eyed Ozzy said during the show. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
According to PEOPLE, Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2003, but didn’t go public with his diagnosis until 2020; however, other publications state he was diagnosed in 2019. Ozzy also underwent multiple spinal surgeries over the years.
During a 2023 interview with Rolling Stone, Ozzy admitted his past drug and alcohol use likely contributed to his poor health in the later years of his life.
“I do count my lucky stars,” he said. “I don’t know why I’m still here and I do sometimes think I’m on borrowed time. I said to [his wife] Sharon the other day, ‘What a great f—— life we’ve had and what a great f—— experience.’”
Ozzy’s family confirmed the news of his death on July 22, 2025, in a statement issued to the U.K. Press Association. The statement, cited by NBC News and other outlets, read:
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning [July 22]. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Ozzy’s music publicist also confirmed the news of his death with the BBC, stating Ozzy died in the UK.
Ozzy is survived by his wife, Sharon, and his six children: Jessica, Louis, Elliot, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. He shares Jessica, Louis, and Elliot with his ex-wife, Thelma Riley, and shares Aimee, Kelly, and Jack with Sharon.
A Brief History Of Ozzy Osbourne’s Life & Career
John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948, in Marston Green, Warwickshire, England. In 1968, he joined the Polka Tulk Blues Band, which later changed its name to Earth before becoming Black Sabbath.
As the frontman of Black Sabbath, Ozzy delivered some of the most recognizable songs in rock and roll history, including “Iron Man,” “Paranoid,” and “War Pigs.”
Ozzy was fired from the band in 1979. But that didn’t end his career. He released his debut solo album in 1980, which contained his unforgettable hit “Crazy Train.”
As a solo artist, Ozzy released several now-iconic songs, including “Bark at the Moon,” “Mr. Crowley,” and “Flying High Again.”
Ozzy’s success started to wane in the ’90s. But he found new popularity as a reality TV star when his family’s show, The Osbournes, debuted on MTV in 2002. The show ran for four seasons until 2005.
Despite his health struggles, Ozzy continued to perform whenever possible, even though that wasn’t often in his later years. He also reflected on his legacy, telling Rolling Stone in 2002.
“I made a lot of people smile. I’ve also made a lot of people go, ‘Who the f— does this guy think he is?‘ I guarantee that if I was to die tonight, tomorrow it would be, ‘Ozzy Osbourne, the man who bit the head off a bat, died in his hotel room …’
I know that’s coming.”He added, “But I’ve got no complaints. At least I’ll be remembered.”
The response was overwhelming when news broke that Ozzy would reunite with his Black Sabbath bandmates for one last show on July 5. The show sold out almost instantly. As NBC News details, 45,000 attended in person and 5.8 million watched online.
Ozzy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: as a member of Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024. Watch him speak at the 2024 Hall of Fame ceremony below.
@rockhall“If I hadn’t met Randy Rhoads, I don’t think I would be sitting here now.” – Ozzy Osbourne Hear Ozzy’s full acceptance from the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, now streaming on @disneyplus.
