Sharon Osbourne has shared an emotional account of the final words her late husband, Ozzy Osbourne, said to her before his death at the age of 76, revealing a side to the heavy metal legend that fans rarely saw.
The Black Sabbath frontman died last month at his UK estate, having lived with Parkinson’s disease in his later years. Just 17 days before his passing, Ozzy returned to his hometown of Birmingham for the “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert at Villa Park, a historic event that saw all the original members of Black Sabbath reunited on stage.
Performing to more than 40,000 fans, Ozzy raised an incredible $190 million for charity, with proceeds split equally between Birmingham Children’s Hospital, Cure Parkinson’s, and Acorns Children’s Hospice. At the end of the set, he told the crowd: “You’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
In an interview with Pollstar given shortly before his death, Sharon recalled how overwhelmed Ozzy was by the love from his fans that night. “He turned around and said to me, ‘I had no idea that so many people liked me,’” she said. “Ozzy’s always been in his own bubble.” She went on to praise the dedication of the metal community, calling them “the most loyal fans in the world”.
The farewell performance was groundbreaking — not only streamed worldwide, but with all proceeds donated to charity — something Sharon described as “the perfect way” to end such a long and storied career.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed that Ozzy died from a cardiac arrest, with coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease with autonomic dysfunction listed as contributing causes. His daughter Aimée submitted the death certificate, which confirmed he suffered the fatal arrest outside of hospital.
On July 30, thousands of fans lined the streets of Birmingham to say their goodbyes during a public procession that passed some of the most important landmarks of Ozzy’s life, including his childhood home in Aston and the Black Sabbath bench on Broad Street. Supporters shouted “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy” as the hearse made its way through the city, while musicians from Bostin Brass played Black Sabbath songs and fans threw flowers onto the cortege.
Sharon was joined by the couple’s three children – Kelly, Jack, and the rarely seen Aimee – as well as Ozzy’s children from his first marriage, Elliott, Louis, and Jessica. Each family member carried a pink rose wrapped in black paper, placing it among the sea of floral tributes left by fans.
In a heartfelt gesture to his hometown, Sharon personally covered the costs of road closures and security for the procession, with Birmingham’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal, praising her for ensuring the city could give him the farewell he deserved. “Ozzy was more than a music legend – he was a son of Birmingham,” he said.
Fans watching closely also spotted a deeply personal tribute from Sharon — a gold ring hanging from a chain around her neck, believed to be Ozzy’s wedding ring from their 2017 vow renewal. Many took to social media to express how moved they were by the gesture, with one writing: “Seeing Sharon wear Ozzy’s ring on a necklace… completely wrecked me.”
Ozzy and Sharon’s love story spanned more than four decades. They first met in 1970 when her father was managing Black Sabbath, began a relationship in 1979, and married in 1982. Though they briefly split in 2016, they reconciled months later and renewed their vows the following year, with Ozzy calling it “our real wedding day.”
Born John Michael Osbourne in December 1948, Ozzy rose from humble beginnings in Aston to become one of the most influential figures in heavy metal history. With Black Sabbath, he helped define the genre, shocking and thrilling audiences with his theatrical performances and dark persona as the “Prince of Darkness.” His career spanned more than 50 years, and his legacy — both musical and personal — has left an indelible mark on fans across generations.
A statement from the Osbourne family following his death 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.”
As Birmingham and the wider music world continue to mourn, tributes to Ozzy have poured in from fellow musicians, celebrities, and fans. Many say his influence went far beyond music, inspiring them through his resilience, his humour, and his unapologetic individuality.
For those who knew him best, like Sharon, it was the man behind the legend who meant the most — the loving husband and father whose final moments on stage were filled with gratitude, humility, and an enduring connection to the city and fans who made him who he was.
