Ozzy Osbourne spent the final years of his life battling a number of health issues - though this didn't stop him from being his trademark self.
The rock world is mourning a true icon whose life was as thunderous as the music he helped pioneer.
His family confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement shared on July 22: “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.”
Ozzy’s death came not long after an emotional farewell concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park, where 42,000 fans watched in awe as he reunited with original Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, and Geezer Butler for one final performance.
That event, streamed to millions, raised around $190 million for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Acorns Children’s Hospice, and Cure Parkinson’s - an especially meaningful cause given Ozzy’s own health battles.
The “Prince of Darkness” publicly revealed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020 during an appearance on Good Morning America, saying: “I’m not dying from Parkinson’s. I’ve been working with it most of my life.”
His wife, Sharon, added at the time: “It does affect certain nerves in your body, and it’s like you have a good day, a good day and then a really bad day.”
She clarified: “It’s not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination.”
Still, the disease took its toll. Following a fall in 2019 in what Ozzy described as a “pitch-black” bathroom, he underwent spinal surgery and had 15 screws inserted. The injuries also aggravated damage from a near-fatal quad bike accident in 2003.
In 2022, he had another operation to remove and realign pins in his neck and back. Sharon revealed on The Talk that the surgery would “really determine the rest of [Ozzy's] life.”
The NHS explains that Parkinson's disease typically begins with mild symptoms that progress gradually over time. While there are many possible signs, most people will only experience a selection of them.
The three core symptoms include tremors - often noticeable in the arms or legs while at rest - slowness of movement, known as bradykinesia, and muscle stiffness, which can cause pain and limit mobility.
Other early signs can include a reduced sense of smell, which may appear years before any other symptoms.
Additional symptoms may involve urinary issues, erectile dysfunction, excessive sweating, difficulty swallowing, insomnia, dizziness upon standing, and nerve pain.
Beyond physical challenges, Parkinson’s is also associated with mental health and cognitive issues such as depression, anxiety, memory problems, and dementia.
Despite the surgeries, chronic pain, and increasing immobility - Ozzy admitted shortly before the farewell concert that he could no longer walk - he remained determined to return to the stage.
“I may be moaning that I can’t walk but I look down the road and there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me and didn’t make it,” he told The Osbournes Podcast.
“My feet feel like I’ve got bricks tied to them when I’m walking,” he added.
He officially retired from touring in 2023, but the Villa Park concert gave fans a final glimpse of the rocker doing what he loved most - performing.
Ozzy’s final Instagram post - a backstage photo from his last show - has since taken on new meaning.
It showed a sign reading: “Back to the Beginning. The Final Show.”
Fans flooded the post with tributes, with one writing: “He said one final goodbye, rested and passed with his loved ones by his side. I can't think of a better way to spend your final days. Rest in Peace, Ozzy.”