Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76 Surrounded by Family After Final Farewell Concert

CLEVELAND 13 (WCTU) — Legendary music icon Ozzy Osbourne died on the morning of July 22, 2025, at his country estate in Welders, Buckinghamshire, U.K., according to a statement from his family confirming he was “surrounded by love” at the time. The announcement was signed by his wife, Sharon Osbourne, and their children, who emphasized that Ozzy’s passing came with his family by his side.

He was 76. Osbourne had been battling multiple chronic conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, emphysema, and spinal injuries from a 2019 fall. Earlier that morning, a critical‑care air ambulance responded to his estate near Chalfont St. Giles, providing advanced emergency treatment before his death.

Just 17 days earlier, on July 5, Osbourne gave his final live performance at Villa Park in Birmingham. Seated on a throne due to his failing health, he reunited with Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for the “Back to the Beginning” benefit concert. The event drew approximately 45,000 fans in person and 5.8 million viewers via global livestream, raising about £140 million ($190 million) for Parkinson’s research and children’s charities.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Osbourne told fans during the concert, which is set to be released as a film in early 2026.

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in rural Warwickshire and raised in Birmingham, he co‑founded Black Sabbath in 1968. With landmark albums like Paranoid and Master of Reality, the band helped define heavy metal and sold over 100 million records. Osbourne’s solo career, launched in 1980 with Blizzard of Ozz, produced enduring hits like “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley.”

Despite his musical triumphs, Osbourne’s career was often marked by controversy. He was known for outrageous onstage antics, including biting the head off a bat during a 1982 concert and an earlier incident where he bit the heads off two doves at a CBS Records meeting. While he admitted those moments “haunt” him, they solidified his reputation as the “Prince of Darkness.”

Osbourne’s openness about his health struggles, particularly his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020, earned him praise from Parkinson’s UK, which said his candor helped countless families feel less isolated. Elton John called Osbourne a “huge trailblazer” and “one of the funniest people I’ve ever met,” while Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood described his final performance as a “lovely goodbye concert.” Black Sabbath’s official tribute read, “Ozzy Forever,” with Iommi calling him a “dear friend” and Butler and Ward referring to him as their “brother.”

Osbourne’s personal life, marked by his enduring marriage to Sharon since 1982, was also a central part of his public persona. Their reality TV series The Osbournes, which aired from 2002 to 2005, won an Emmy and introduced his foul-mouthed but affectionate humor to a new generation of fans.

His family’s statement concluded, “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.”

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Osbourne said during his final performance, a farewell message that now resonates as his last words to fans.

----------------

At Cleveland 13 News, we strive to provide accurate, up‑to‑date, and reliable reporting. If you spot an error, omission, or have information that may need updating, please email us at tips@cleveland13news.com. As a community‑driven news network, we appreciate the help of our readers in ensuring the integrity of our reporting.