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July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Music Box • Musician

Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne was an English singer, songwriter, and media personality best known as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath and as a solo heavy metal artist.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Ozzy Osbourne, the English singer known as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath and a solo heavy metal icon, died on 22 July 2025 at age 76. Often called the 'Prince of Darkness,' he was a pioneer of heavy metal.

Early life and music career

John Michael Osbourne was born in Birmingham, England, in 1948. He co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968 and became one of heavy metal's most recognizable voices. After leaving the band in 1979, he launched a successful solo career that cemented his status as a genre legend.

Health and death

Osbourne faced serious health problems in his later years, including a spinal injury in 2019 and a Parkinson's disease diagnosis in 2020. He died on 22 July 2025 at age 76. His final major live appearance was a farewell concert in Birmingham on 5 July 2025.

Personal life

Osbourne was married to Sharon Osbourne from 1982 until his death. He had six children: Jessica, Louis, Elliot, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. At the time of his death, his net worth was estimated at around US$220 million.

In short

  • Co-founded Black Sabbath in 1968.
  • Built a successful solo career after leaving the band in 1979.
  • Diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2020.
  • Died on 22 July 2025 at age 76.
Canadian angle

Ozzy Osbourne had a major following in Canada through Black Sabbath, solo tours, and broad radio and television exposure, making him a significant figure in Canadian rock and heavy metal culture.

Quick questions

How old was Ozzy Osbourne when he died?
Ozzy Osbourne was born on 3 December 1948 and died on 22 July 2025 at age 76.
What health issues did Ozzy Osbourne have?
He had a spinal injury in 2019 and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2020, among other problems.
Who was Ozzy Osbourne married to?
He was married to Sharon Osbourne from 1982 until his death in 2025. His first wife was Thelma Riley.

Sources

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozzy_Osbourne
    Supports: Birth name, birth and death dates, Black Sabbath role, death details
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/biography/Ozzy-Osbourne
    Supports: Biography, career overview, health issues before death
  3. BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cyvjd3p887qo
    Supports: Death at age 76, farewell show, family details, Parkinson’s disease
  4. Associated Presshttps://apnews.com/article/ozzy-osbourne-dies-adff88b55f1d3b0bace5705d58d3cdde
    Supports: Death at 76, Black Sabbath leadership, farewell performance
  5. Biography.comhttps://www.biography.com/musicians/ozzy-osbourne
    Supports: Spouses, children, estimated net worth, death and health context
  6. The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jul/22/ozzy-osbourne-black-sabbath-frontman-and-icon-of-british-heavy-metal-dies-aged-76
    Supports: Death at 76, heavy metal legacy
  7. NBC Newshttps://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/music/ozzy-osbournes-last-stand-rcna210881
    Supports: Health condition and final live appearance context