John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (3 December 1948 – 22 July 2025) was an English singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Black Sabbath.
He became notorious for erratic behavior in the 1970s and 1980s due to extensive alcohol and drug use, which led to his divorce to Thelma Riley, his first wife and mother of their two children, Jessica and Louis, in 1972 and his firing from Black Sabbath in 1979. Since then, Osbourne has reunited with the band sporadically.
Post-Black Sabbath, Osbourne launched a successful solo career with hits like "Crazy Train" from Blizzard of Ozz (1980), collaborating with guitarists Randy Rhoads and Zakk Wylde. He earned Grammy nods and sold millions of records, solidifying his "Prince of Darkness" persona.
In later life, Osbourne achieved renewed fame via MTV's reality series The Osbournes (2002-2005), which featured him, his second wife Sharon, and their children Jack and Kelly (their eldest daughter, Aimee, opted out to focus on her singing career).
17 days following Osbourne's final live performance with Black Sabbath and other metal rock bands at the Back to the Beginning concert, he passed away on the morning of 22 July 2025, at the age of 76. He was surrounded by his family at the time of his death.
