Rock icon Ozzy Osbourne died yesterday (Tuesday, July 22), with the heartbreaking news confirmed in a statement released by his devastated family. The announcement revealed that the Black Sabbath frontman’s loved ones, including his devoted wife Sharon of more than 40 years, had assembled around him one final time as he peacefully died on Tuesday morning aged 76.
His death comes mere weeks after the legendary performer took to the stage for what would be his last ever gig during his Back to the Beginning concert at Aston Villa’s ground, Villa Park.
The family’s statement confirming his passing said: “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.”
The family’s message included a location marker reading: “Birmingham, England July 22, 2025” – confirming that Ozzy had managed to return home one last time, reports the Mirror.
Ozzy and Sharon, 72, had previously discussed their desire to relocate back to the UK from Los Angeles before the musician’s declining health took hold. Ozzy had expressed he was “desperate to come home”.
Although they had hoped to make the move previously, Ozzy’s ongoing health struggles prevented the relocation as he fought Parkinson’s disease and endured multiple operations for a spinal injury. “It’s time for me to spend some time with my grandkids,” he told the Guardian in May as he prepared for his final show. He added: “I don’t want to die in a hotel room somewhere. I want to spend the rest of my life with my family.”
The rock legend and wife Sharon were anticipated to return to their Buckinghamshire residence to mark the farewell performance. Ozzy had been open about his longing to relocate back to England, discussing his ambition as far back as August 2022 following more than two decades in Los Angeles.
He also pointed to gun violence in the nation as another factor behind his wish to depart. “Everything’s f***ing ridiculous [in America]. I’m fed up with people getting killed every day,” he told The Observer.
He added: “God knows how many people have been shot in school shootings. And there was that mass shooting in Vegas at that concert… it’s f***ing crazy.” Nevertheless, the relocation was postponed for years due to Ozzy’s deteriorating health.
Speaking to Planet Rock’s Loz Guest regarding Black Sabbath’s star-studded Back to the Beginning concert on 5th July, Sharon confirmed that the show had provided Ozzy with the opportunity to return home at last. She said: “He’s coming over in March. His brothers (in Black Sabbath), he’s excited to be here with them.”
When questioned if they were still permanently relocating back to the UK following the gig, Sharon replied: “Yeah, we are.”
Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, Ozzy departed education at 15 and took on various jobs including factory work before joining forces with school mate Geezer Butler in several bands. The duo then connected with the other founding members of Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, to establish what was initially called Earth Blues Company – later abbreviated to Earth – in 1968.
Originally a Mod who adored soul music, Osbourne developed a more sinister persona after penning lyrics for a track entitled Black Sabbath following the 1963 Boris Karloff film of the same name. The moniker remained – after they were compelled to alter it from Earth – and the group proceeded to shift millions of albums over the following decade thanks to genre-defining numbers including Paranoid and War Pigs.
The band became extensively recognised for establishing the blueprint of heavy metal. However, substance abuse started to impact Osbourne and his relationship with his bandmates, and he was ultimately sacked in 1979.
He embarked on a solo venture, achieving acclaim throughout the 1980s, before reuniting with Sabbath on multiple occasions – including in 2016 for a farewell global tour.
In 2022, Ozzy proclaimed “Birmingham forever,” during an unexpected appearance at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in his hometown. The Black Sabbath legend was amongst numerous Brummie performers to take the stage, including Dexy’s Midnight Runners, UB40, and Musical Youth.
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