The legendary heavy metal artist and reality star, Ozzy Osbourne, passed away on July 22, 2025. He was 76 and was surrounded by his family at the time of his death. It's with a heavy heart that the music industry has lost one of its icons and will never be the same.
Osbourne was born on December 3, 1948, as John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham, England, and before his claim to fame in the rock throes, he led a rather average UK boy's life with a dabble in theft. The stint briefly landed the singer in jail, as he was unable to pay the bond.
In 1968, Osbourne joined the band, Black Sabbath, and the group was considered the "Mother of Heavy Metal," with elements of jazz and traces of the Occult blended into the distinctive sound. Throughout the 1970s, Black Sabbath rose to the top of the charts, and in 1980, two years after branching out in a solo career, Osbourne released his signature song, "Crazy Train."
For his eclipsing style of music, stage performances, and small bouts of personal mayhem, the Grammy winner was dubbed the "Prince of Darkness." While other heavy metal artists have followed, no one has ever topped Osbourne or his aesthetic.
In a statement, his wife of 43 years, Sharon, his daughters Aimee and Kelly, and sons Jack and Louis (whom he shares with his ex-wife, Thelma Riley) shared a statement on Osbourne's passing.
"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."
Osbourne was diagnoses with the neurological condition Parkinson's Disease in 2019, which left him wheel-chair bound. Despite this obstacle, he refused to let it get the best of him.
Ozzy Osbourne and his family launch a new kind of fame
In 2002, MTV offered Osbourne and his family, with the exclusion of Aimee, an opportunity to star in their own reality show, The Osbournes. It chronicled the daily lives of Osbourne, Sharon, Kelly, and Jack, along with their little dog army, while living in California.
The Osbournes additionally shed light on Osbourne's heavy substance use, his ATV accident, and Sharon's journey with colon cancer. It propelled Kelly and Jack into international stardom, with the former taking a step in her dad's shadow to release music of her own and becoming a Y2K It Girl.
After four seasons, The Osbournes ended in 2005, and during its reign was a ratings smash for MTV.
Ozzy Osbourne has his final concert
On July 5, 2025, Osbourne had his farewell concert in Villa Park, Birmingham, England. He performed in front of 45,000 people while seated in a black throne onstage. He thanked the attendees for just coming to see him, and the show didn't line the pockets of his or his Black Sabbath bandmates, or the supporting bands, but instead benefited charities. According to the BBC, the concert raised nearly $200 million USD, or approximately £ 140 million GBP.
"You have no idea how I feel — thank you from the bottom of my heart. You're all special. Let's go crazy, come on!" -Osbourne at his Final Show.
Following the show, Sid Wilson of Slpknot, proposed to Kelly in front of her family backstage. She then posted the moment on her Instagram, with her dad watching. Kelly and Sid share a son, Sid Jr, whom they welcomed in 2022.
Rest in peace and rock in the Afterlife Ozzy Osbourne.