Ozzy Osborne died at the age of 76

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary heavy metal vocalist and frontman of Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76. The Osbourne family announced that he passed away on Tuesday morning “surrounded by love” with his family by his side, asking for privacy during this difficult time. The exact cause of death has not been disclosed.

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Osbourne rose to fame as the pioneering voice of Black Sabbath, a band that helped define the heavy metal genre with iconic hits like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “War Pigs.” He was known as the “Prince of Darkness” for his theatrical and often controversial stage antics, including the infamous incident of biting the head off a bat.

After being dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979 due to substance abuse struggles, Osbourne launched a successful solo career marked by classics such as “Crazy Train” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” He also gained mainstream fame through the MTV reality series The Osbournes, which exposed his life and family to millions.

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In recent years, Osbourne battled significant health issues, notably Parkinson’s disease diagnosed in 2003 and publicly revealed in 2020, and injuries from a fall in 2019. Despite these challenges, he remained active in music and completed a farewell tour with Black Sabbath in July 2025 at Villa Park, Birmingham. At this final show, he expressed deep gratitude to his fans from a throne on stage — what would be his symbolic “final bow.”

He is survived by his wife Sharon Osbourne, their three children—Aimee, Kelly, and Jack—as well as two children from his first marriage, Jessica and Louis.

Osbourne’s death closes a monumental chapter in rock history. His influence on heavy metal and popular culture endures, cementing his legacy as one of the genre’s most charismatic and enduring figures.