Ozzy Osbourne dies: What we know about heavy metal star’s death, cause of death
The legendary heavy metal singer’s death comes just weeks after his farewell show, where he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates.
WASHINGTON — Heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne died on Tuesday, just weeks after his farewell concert in Birmingham, England.
Tributes from around the music industry poured in shortly after the news of the Black Sabbath frontman’s death, including from Ronnie Wood and Elton John.
A cause of death was not immediately known but the singer had previously opened up about his struggles with Parkinson’s.
“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,” a family statement on Osbourne’s Instagram read. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
His death came weeks after his final live performance, where he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates. The concert marked the end of Osbourne’s touring career after a 2020 Parkinson’s diagnosis and a spinal surgery forced him to stop performing in 2023.
Days before the singer’s death, his daughter Kelly went on to dispel rumors about the heavy metal star and his longtime wife Sharon having an assisted suicide pact, according to the New York Post.
In an Instagram story posted days after the farewell concert, Kelly urged people to “stop making articles or posts about how you think my parents are having a suicide pact” and said it was something her mom “said to get attention one time.”
The rumors referred to a 2007 interview where Sharon mentioned a so-called euthanasia pact.
“Ozzy and I have absolutely come to the same decision. We believe 100 per cent in euthanasia so have drawn up plans to go to the assisted suicide flat in Switzerland if we ever have an illness that affects our brains. If Ozzy or I ever got Alzheimer’s, that’s it – we’d be off,” Sharon said to The Mirror at the time. “We gathered the kids around the kitchen table, told them our wishes and they’ve all agreed to go with it.”
“Ozzy and I have asked our lawyers to make the appropriate arrangements. It’s taken away some of the fear of our ending and is a final gift of love to our kids.,” she added in the 2007 interview.
What is Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s is a neurologic disease that robs people of control over their movements. It typically starts with tremors and is characterized by slow movement, a shuffling gait, stiff limbs, balance problems and slurred speech.
About 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s, and 10 million people worldwide, the Parkinson’s Foundation. estimates. It usually appears after age 60, although sometimes it can develop before age 50.
There is no cure but there are treatments, including medications that affect dopamine levels and a surgically implanted tremor-blocking device. Patients also can benefit from physical and occupational therapy.
While Parkinson’s itself isn’t considered fatal, people can die from complications of the disease, including lung problems as muscle weakness impedes the ability to cough and to swallow.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.