Legendary British Rocker Ozzy Osbourne Passes Away at 76
Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic frontman of Black Sabbath, passed away on July 22, 2025, after years of battling health issues.
His family shared the tragic news on Tuesday evening: “With profound and indescribable sorrow, our family announces that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne took his final breath this morning. He passed away surrounded by family and love.”
Before his passing, Osbourne performed his final show with Black Sabbath in Birmingham on July 5. Despite struggling with Parkinson’s disease and other health challenges, he hosted a farewell charity concert in his hometown earlier this month.
In February, his wife, reality TV star Sharon Osbourne, shared that the rocker was thrilled to return to the stage. Although Parkinson’s affected his mobility, his voice remained strong. Osbourne had previously suffered a neck injury from a fall and underwent surgery in 2022 to remove two metal plates from his spine. He made a triumphant return to the stage at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and continued performing despite ongoing health issues.
Born in Birmingham, England, on December 3, 1948, Ozzy Osbourne rose to fame as the lead singer of Black Sabbath, the pioneering heavy metal band formed in 1968 with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward. Hits like Paranoid, Iron Man, and War Pigs became genre-defining classics. During this time, Osbourne earned the nickname “Prince of Darkness.”
In 1979, Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath due to drug addiction. Devastated, he was supported by his future wife and music manager, Sharon Osbourne, who helped him launch a successful solo career. Osbourne released 13 solo studio albums, producing hits like Crazy Train and No More Tears.
Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath for multiple performances starting in the early 2000s. In 2019, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. With 12 Grammy nominations and five wins, he was honored twice in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—as a member of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist.
Beyond music, Osbourne gained fame through the MTV reality show The Osbournes (2002–2005), offering a humorous and heartfelt glimpse into his family life with Sharon and their children.
Osbourne married Sharon in 1982, and they had three children: Aimee Osbourne, 42, a singer; Kelly Osbourne, 41, a singer, host, and fashion icon; and Jack Osbourne, 40, a TV producer. He also has three children from his previous marriage to Thelma Riley.
Ozzy and Sharon’s marriage faced challenges, including a separation due to his struggles with sex addiction. After seeking treatment, they reconciled in 2017. In a 2021 biographical film about their love story, Sharon reflected: “Our relationship has been wild, crazy, and dangerous at times, but our undying love has kept us together.”