Ozzy Osbourne has died, just weeks after sharing the stage with his former Black Sabbath bandmates for one final show. The legendary rocker passed away earlier today, surrounded by loved ones, according to a statement issued by his family.
As per Mirror, the statement reads: “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,” the statement reads. “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.”
The statement was signed by his wife, Sharon Osbourne, whom he married in 1982, and their children, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis.
Ozzy’s Final Performance Was a Farewell to Fans
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)The rock icon’s final on-stage appearance came just over two weeks ago during a sold-out show at Villa Park Stadium in Birmingham on July 5. The event, titled “Back to the Beginning,” was a star-studded charity concert that reunited Ozzy with the original members of Black Sabbath: Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for ABA)Announced earlier this year, the show had been billed as Ozzy’s “final performance” and a farewell to fans as he formally stepped into retirement.
A Rock Legacy That Changed Music Forever
(Photo by Colin Fuller/Redferns)Ozzy Osbourne’s influence on music and culture spanned decades. While the family did not disclose a cause of death, the 75-year-old had faced several health battles in recent years. Despite the challenges, he continued to connect with fans and perform when possible.
His legacy, both as a solo artist and as the frontman of Black Sabbath, will live on, echoing in arenas, playlists, and the hearts of generations of rock fans around the world.
Ozzy Osbourne Faced Years of Health Challenges Before His Final Farewell
No cause of death was listed, and the family immediately released no additional details.
Osbourne had publicly battled several serious health issues in recent years. In 2020, he announced he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The year before, he was forced to cancel tour dates after a “bad fall” that resulted in neck injuries and damaged vertebrae. In 2023, Osbourne confirmed that his touring career had officially “ended” due to spine damage from a 2019 accident.
As per Fox News, Sharon Osbourne revealed in 2022 that her husband had undergone a “major operation.” Though she didn’t share specifics at the time, Ozzy had told Classic Rock magazine he was “waiting on some more surgery on my neck.”
Despite his declining health, the Prince of Darkness made one final appearance on stage earlier this month. He joined original Black Sabbath members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for an emotional farewell performance in Birmingham, England.
“It’s my time to go Back to the Beginning….time for me to give back to the place where I was born,” Osbourne said in a February social media post ahead of the show. “How blessed am I to do it with the help of people whom I love. Birmingham is the true home of metal. Birmingham Forever.”
That same evening, the Osbourne family had even more to celebrate — Ozzy’s daughter Kelly was proposed to by her DJ boyfriend, Sid Wilson.
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Ozzy Osbourne’s Family Releases a Heartfelt Statement