Heavy metal icon Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76.
Osbourne’s family announced the rock legend’s passing in a statement to The Sun on Tuesday: “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. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.” Osbourne’s death was also confirmed by the BBC.
Osbourne’s death comes just weeks after the ailing singer reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for a triumphant final show titled “Back to the Beginning” in July, witness by 45,000 fans at Birmingham’s Villa Park soccer stadium and by another 5.8 million around the world online. The festival included appearances from fellow metal legends including Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, Tool, Pantera, Alice in Chains and more.
Osbourne had been sick for some time, and opened up about his battles with Parkinson’s disease (which he was diagnosed with in January 2020) and repeat spinal surgeries in a November 2023 interview with Rolling Stone. Osbourne’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, revealed in February 2025 that his battle with Parkinson’s disease had left him unable to walk but “did not affect his voice.”
Born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, on Dec. 3, 1948, he was first nicknamed “Ozzy” in primary school. Ozzy dropped out of school when he was 15, and worked several trade jobs before he and his friend, Geezer Butler, formed their first band, Rare Breed, with Ozzy on vocals. Osbourne later became a founding member of Black Sabbath in 1967, famous for heavy metal hits including “Paranoid,” “War Pigs” and “Iron Man.” However due to Osbourne’s struggle with alcohol and drug abuse, he was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979.
Osbourne went on to a hugely successful solo career, thanks to his future wife, the former Sharon Arden – daughter of Black Sabbath’s manager, Don Arden – who decided to manage Ozzy as a solo act. Ozzy would go on to make 12 solo albums with hits including “Crazy Train,” “Mama, I’m Coming Home” and “No More Tears”. Throughout his career, Osbourne sold over 100 million albums worldwide as a solo artist and a member of Black Sabbath combined.
Osbourne is survived by his wife, Sharon, and six children — Jessica, Louis and Elliot from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, and Aimee, Kelly and Jack from his second marriage.
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