Metal icon Ozzy Osbourne, known as the “Prince of Darkness” and lead singer of Black Sabbath, has died.
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“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 statement from Osbourne’s family reads, per The Guardian. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
No cause of death was given, though the rock legend has been plagued with health issues in recent years. He was 76.
He passed away less than three weeks after retiring from performing live. On July 5, Osbourne reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates for the first time since 2005 at Back to the Beginning, a farewell concert featuring major metal artists.
This performance feels so different now. Like he was saying goodbye to the world.
— Eric Matheny 🎙️ (@ericmmatheny) July 22, 2025
RIP Ozzy. pic.twitter.com/8YP0HRyvvV
Osbourne’s last Instagram post from Monday, featuring a snapshot of the hallway leading to the stage for Black Sabbath’s last show, has become a beacon for mourning fans and fellow artists alike.
“RIP Ozzy. Thank you for the music. Much love to your family, friends, and everyone else you have impacted in this world. You will be missed,” punk rockers The Ataris wrote.
“Thank you for being such a major part of my childhood. You will be missed tremendously. Love you, Ozzy,” a fan added. “You played your final show and now you can rest, king,” another fan wrote.
Ozzy Osbourne was Plagued with Health Problems in Recent Years
In 2020, Osbourne revealed his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis after years of health issues. In 2023, he announced his retirement from touring due to spinal injuries from a 2018 accident.
From 1969 to 1979, Osbourne fronted Black Sabbath, the Birmingham band that defined heavy metal’s dark sound and themes. Despite chaos and substance abuse, their early albums remain genre classics.
Black Sabbath fired Osbourne in 1979, but he found greater mainstream success as a solo artist, helping launch the careers of guitar legends like Zakk Wylde and Randy Rhoads. His wife and manager, Sharon Osbourne, started Ozzfest in the 1990s to highlight his popularity. The festival became a major success, featuring top metal acts and launching careers.
Ozzy is gone.
— RazörFist (@RAZ0RFIST) July 22, 2025
I will pen no lengthy eulogy.
I'm not even certain I want to make a video about it (those always feel exploitive somehow).
Rather, I will blast Ozzy and Sabbath from dawn to dusk.
In other words:
My daily routine will remain unaltered. pic.twitter.com/99anvkcCCi
Of course, Osbourne gained additional fame in the early 2000s and a new generation of fans on The Osbournes, an MTV reality series that focused on the rock star’s home life.
Osbourne released two successful solo albums later in his career, Ordinary Man (No. 3 in the U.S., 2020) and Patient Number 9 (No. 2, 2022).
Osbourne is survived by his wife and five children.