Ozzy Osbourne, legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and icon of British heavy metal, has died at the age of 76. His death certificate, filed by daughter Aimee Osbourne in London, lists the causes as cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, and complications related to Parkinson’s disease.
His family confirmed the news in a statement, saying Ozzy passed “surrounded by love.”
“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,” the family shared. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy at this time — Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis.”
Ozzy was laid to rest near a lake on his Buckinghamshire estate during a private funeral attended by about 110 guests, including close friends, family, and longtime collaborator Zakk Wylde, who led the procession. Photos of Ozzy lined the house, and guests were given keepsakes in his memory.
“Ozzy wanted his final place of rest to be at home,” a family source said. “He’s buried at a beautiful spot by the lake.”
A day earlier, a public procession took place through his hometown of Birmingham, drawing thousands of fans. The hearse paused at the Black Sabbath Bench and Bridge on Broad Street — a symbolic stop honoring his legacy. Sharon Osbourne and the children, dressed in black, laid purple flowers and paid tribute in silence.
Ozzy had battled Parkinson’s since being diagnosed in 2003, going public with the illness in 2020. His final years were marked by numerous surgeries, including a major operation in 2019 following a fall that aggravated a past neck injury.
Despite his declining health, Ozzy remained determined to perform. In a 2022 interview, he said, “Survival is my legacy… If you’ve got a passion for something, you’ve got to find a way to carry on.”
In 2023, he canceled his tour due to worsening health, later voicing support for assisted dying laws after watching his father suffer from cancer. “I don’t fear dying,” he said, “but I don’t want a long, painful existence.”
Two weeks before his death, he gave one final performance at Black Sabbath’s farewell concert, Back to the Beginning, in Birmingham. Seated in a black leather chair, he sang five solo songs before reuniting with bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for four last tracks.
A three-time Grammy winner, Ozzy was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice — with Black Sabbath in 2006 and as a solo artist in 2024.
Reflecting on his life, Ozzy once said, “Just being remembered would be an achievement to me.”
Following his passing, the remaining members of Black Sabbath released a simple tribute:
“Ozzy Forever.”
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