Sharon Osbourne has emotionally responded to fans after the death of her husband, music legend Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 76.
Among the many tributes pouring in, musician Gavin Rossdale wrote on Instagram: “RIP OZZY – a great man, a true legend. I only met Ozzy a few times through Jack, but he was warm, kind, and hilarious. That memory means a lot to me. Sending love to his family.” Sharon replied with a heartfelt “Bless you.”
The Osbourne family confirmed Ozzy’s death in a statement, saying: “With more sorrow than words can express, we announce the passing of our beloved Ozzy Osbourne. He was surrounded by his family and immense love. We kindly ask for privacy. – Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis.”
Sharon also responded to fans and friends on social media, including BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, thanking them for their tributes.
Ozzy and Sharon married on July 4, 1982. They had three children together—Aimee (38), Kelly (37), and Jack (36). Ozzy also had children from his previous marriage to Thelma Riley: Jessica, Louis, and adopted son Elliot.
Just weeks ago, Ozzy took the stage one final time in an emotional farewell concert alongside his original Black Sabbath bandmates—his first reunion with them since 2005. “You have no idea how grateful I am—thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he told the audience. The performance marked his official retirement from the stage, following years of declining health and his 2020 Parkinson’s diagnosis.
Known as much for his outrageous behavior as his music, Ozzy became a cultural icon—biting the heads off animals, urinating on a U.S. war memorial in a dress, and even snorting ants. Despite controversies, he remained a giant in rock history, having sold over 100 million records. Black Sabbath’s hits like Paranoid, War Pigs, and Iron Man cemented his legacy, even as critics—like a future pope—accused him of promoting satanic themes.
Ozzy and Sharon also became household names thanks to their reality show The Osbournes, which featured their children and offered a chaotic, unfiltered look into their lives.
Details have now emerged about Ozzy’s final moments. On Tuesday morning, a helicopter from Thames Valley Air Ambulance was dispatched to the couple’s Buckinghamshire estate, Welders House, after an emergency call was placed. The air ambulance landed in a nearby field around 10:30 AM and remained on site for about two hours as medics attempted to save him. Locals noticed the chopper hovering and feared the worst.
The home, a 125-year-old mansion surrounded by 350 acres, had recently been renovated to include a rehab wing and other facilities to accommodate Ozzy’s failing health. Sharon had reportedly been preparing for this day for more than two years.
The community in Jordans, near the Osbournes’ estate, expressed their sorrow. “We knew something serious was happening when we saw the helicopter. Later that day, the news confirmed our fears,” said one resident.
The Thames Valley Air Ambulance confirmed their involvement but did not disclose further details. The service, which is a registered charity receiving no government funding, recently marked its 20,000th emergency callout.
Ozzy’s death brings to an end a remarkable, turbulent, and trailblazing life that left a lasting imprint on music and pop culture.