Before he died, Sharon Osbourne fulfilled her husband Ozzy Osbourne’s last desire. Ozzy’s family said on Tuesday, July 22, that he passed away tragically at the age of 76, “surrounded by love.” Ozzy received a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis back in 2019. Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that worsens over time and damages various parts of the brain.
Although a cause of death has not been established, it is said that Ozzy had further health problems at the time of his passing. Before he died, Sharon arranged for Ozzy to return to his hometown in the United Kingdom for the Back to the Beginning benefit concert, where he joined Black Sabbath and helped raise $189 million for charity.
Metallica, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer, and Anthrax were among the other bands that participated.
“The only place that we could do it would have been Aston, because that’s where Ozzy was born and grew up, which is right where the Villa ground is,” Sharon told Music Business Worldwide.
“I thought of having all the bands he’s ever had relationships with perform and maybe do Sabbath songs and Ozzy songs.”
“It became a celebration of the music.”
“All the generations are going to be there that Sabbath and Ozzy have passed the torch down to.”
She also told The Sun at the time that Ozzy was “very emotional about this and very happy to be coming back.”
“Parkinson’s is a progressive disease. It’s not something you can stabilize. It affects different parts of the body, and it’s affected his legs,” she said.
“But his voice is as good as it’s ever been.”
Ozzy said to the audience after the performance, “You have no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Ozzy’s family released a statement after his passing.
It read: “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.”
Aimee, Kelly, and Jack, as well as Ozzy’s wife Sharon, are left behind. In addition, his grandkids and Jessica and Louis, from his previous marriage to Thelma Riley, survive him.
Ozzy has been receiving tributes from all sides, including his childhood soccer team, Aston Villa.
They penned in a statement posted to Twitter: “Aston Villa Football Club is saddened to learn that world-renowned rockstar and Villan, Ozzy Osbourne has passed away.”
“Growing up in Aston, not far from Villa Park, Ozzy always held a special connection to the club and the community he came from.”
“The thoughts of everyone at Aston Villa are with his wife Sharon, his family, friends, and countless fans at this extremely difficult time.”
