Ozzy Osbourne had been battling ill-health for over 20 years before his sad death on Tuesday aged 76.
The Black Sabbath legend had been suffering from Parkinson’s disease since 2003 and had undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal surgery in September 2023.
His health battle began more than two decade ago years ago, when in 2003, he broke his neck after falling off a quad bike leading to some extensive back surgery and metal rods being put down his spine.
The British musician was diagnosed with a mild form of Parkinson’s disease in 2003, however he only went public with the condition in 2020.
In 2020, the singer shared in an interview with Good Morning America alongside his wife Sharon his diagnosis.
He shared: ‘I had to have surgery on my neck which screwed all my nerves. I found out that I have a mild form of…’ Struggling to finish the sentence Sharon stepped in: ‘It’s Parkin two which is a form of Parkinson’s.’
Ozzy Osbourne had been battling ill-health for over 20 years before his sad death on Tuesday aged 76
The Black Sabbath legend was suffering from Parkinson’s disease since 2003 and had undergone seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal surgery in September 2023
She added: ‘There are so many different types of Parkinson’s. It’s not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination but it does affect the nerves in your body. It’s like you’ll have a good day, then a good day, and then a really bad day.’
However, Ozzy previously said that his biggest struggles were due to a fall which he suffered in 2019 which caused metal rods in his back to dislodge.
The rods had been put there following a quad bike accident at his Buckinghamshire home in 2003.
He told Rolling Stone UK magazine: ‘The second surgery went drastically wrong and virtually left me crippled.
‘I thought I’d be up and running after the second and third, but with the last one they put a f*ing rod in my spine.
‘They found a tumour in one of the vertebrae, so they had to dig all that out too. It’s pretty rough, man, and my balance is all f*ed up.’
In February 2019, Sharon revealed he had been admitted to hospital after suffering from flu and had experienced ‘complications’ from the illness.
Sharon tweeted: ‘As some of you may have heard, Ozzy was admitted to hospital following some complications from the flu. His doctors feel this is the best way to get him on a quicker road to recovery. Thanks to everyone for their concern and love.’
His health battle began more than 20 years ago, when in 2003, he broke his neck after falling off a quad bike leading to some extensive back surgery and metal rods being put down his spine (pictured in 2004)
The British musician was diagnosed with a mild form of Parkinson’s disease in 2003, however he only went public with the condition in 2020 (pictured 2022)
The illness led to him cancelling a string of tour dates while he recovered, including postponing the UK and European legs of his No More Tours 2.
Ahead of his final live performance in July 2025, which was a benefit concert in Birmingham, Ozzy gave an update on his health status and state of mind.
Speaking on SiriusXM’s Ozzy’s Boneyard, he said: ‘You know what, I go on about the way I can’t walk and I can’t do this, but you know what I was thinking over the holidays? For all of my complaining, I’m still alive.’
He continued: ‘I may be moaning about how I can’t walk as well but as I look down the road, there’s people that didn’t do half as much as me, and they didn’t make it.’
‘I’m trying to get back on my feet.’
Host Billy Morrison added: ‘Ozzy, you are so much better than you were just a year ago.’
He replied: ‘Yeah, but the recovery is very slow. That f***ing surgeon. Plus the Parkinson’s. When you get up in the morning, you just jump outta bed. Oh I have to balance myself, you know? But you know, I’m not dead, as you say. I’m still actively doing things.’
Also ahead of the gig, Ozzy’s wife Sharon revealed: ‘Ozzy’s working with his therapist every single day. He’s doing really well, actually. Ozzy’s number one thing in life is his fans, so he’s working hard to be ready for them, to make this show the perfect way to end things.’
Last year, Ozzy was not well enough to perform at the band’s Rock’N’Roll Hall of Fame induction in America.
However, Ozzy previously said that his biggest struggles were due to a fall which he suffered in 2019 which caused metal rods in his back, which had been put there following a quad bike accident in 2003, to dislodge (pictured 2022)
At the Back To The Beginning show, Ozzy performed on a black throne as he was unable to stand.
Ozzy, who has undergone multiple back and neck surgeries, moved in a specialist rehab therapist in Los Angeles to try to help him stand for several minutes on stage, walk more freely and feel better balanced.
He had also been a firm supporter of the health service, following being treated by NHS staff in 2003 after his near-fatal accident left him with a fractured neck vertebra, fractured ribs and a broken collarbone.
Despite his setbacks, and his worsening condition, Sharon claimed his voice was as good as ever before his final ever gig.
Speaking to The Sun she added: ‘He’s very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this. 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. But his voice is as good as it’s ever been.’
Ozzy passed away on Tuesday (22.07.25), just weeks after he took to the stage for a final performance with his band in Villa Park, Birmingham.
The Osbourne family said in a statement: ‘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.
‘Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.’
Ahead of his final live performance in July 2025, which was a benefit concert in Birmingham, Ozzy gave an update on his health status and state of mind
Ozzy passed away on Tuesday (22.07.25), with The Osbourne family sharing the new in a statement: ‘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’ ; pictured with Sharon
Ozzy was born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948, and dropped out of school at the age of 15.
After serving two months in prison for burglary, he decided to pursue his love of music and by 1970 Black Sabbath had gained a huge following in the US and UK with the release of their first album.
Ozzy quit the band in 1978 and divorced his first wife Thelma Mayfair, who he had two children with, four years later, amid his ongoing substance abuse problems.
He went on to marry second wife Sharon Osbourne, who helped him transform into a successful solo artist and the couple had three children together.
Ozzy gained a whole new audience of fans with the family’s reality TV show The Osbournes in 2001.
He is survived by his wife Sharon and his five children, Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.
Parkinson’s disease charities have praised Ozzy Osbourne for talking about his diagnosis and helping others ‘feel less alone’ in facing the challenges of the condition.
Parkinson’s UK said the Black Sabbath frontman ‘normalised tough conversations’, while Cure Parkinson’s thanked him for ‘putting a spotlight’ on its work.
The proceeds of the Black Sabbath reunion earlier this month went to Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
In 2020, Osbourne revealed he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and he paused touring in 2023 after extensive spinal surgery.
He had a fall at home in 2019 which aggravated injuries from a near-fatal quad bike crash in 2003.
Parkinson’s UK chief executive Caroline Rassell said: ‘News of Ozzy Osbourne’s death, so soon after his celebratory homecoming show, will come as a shock to so many.
‘By speaking openly about both his diagnosis and life with Parkinson’s, Ozzy and all his family helped so many families in the same situation.
‘They normalised tough conversations and made others feel less alone with a condition that’s on the rise and affecting more people every day.
‘All of our heartfelt thoughts are with his family, friends and fans worldwide. His memory and the impact he left on the world will live on in all of them.’
Helen Matthews, chief executive of Cure Parkinson’s, said: ‘We are devastated to hear the news about Ozzy and all our thoughts are with Sharon and his family.
‘It seems incredible that a couple of short weeks ago Ozzy, Black Sabbath and all the acts that contributed to Back to the Beginning produced the most phenomenal and vibrant concert at Villa Park.
‘We are so grateful to Ozzy for all he has done to put a spotlight on the work of Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
‘On behalf of us all at Cure Parkinson’s – thank you.’
Osbourne said earlier this year that the last six years had been ‘full of some of the worst times I’ve been through’.
