Ozzy Osbourne 'was in peace' in the final days before his heartbreaking death
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman, is reported to have been 'at peace' in the days leading up to his death.
The iconic rocker died on Tuesday, aged 76, at his Buckinghamshire residence, which has been described as his "final chapter" following many years spent stateside. While the precise cause of death remains undisclosed, Ozzy had openly discussed his health struggles, including Parkinson's Disease and the lasting impact of a 2003 quad bike accident.
His death occurred shortly after he bid adieu to fans with a final performance alongside his original Black Sabbath bandmates – Tony Iommi, Terence 'Geezer' Butler, and Bill Ward. Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi has said he is struggling to accept Ozzy Osbourne's death and says it has affected the band "bad".
A source shared with People about Ozzy's last moments, saying, "Ozzy's final days were spent in England, surrounded by family, music and in the place he called home. He was in peace."
In 2023, Ozzy and his wife Sharon chose Buckinghamshire for their "final chapter". A source disclosed, "Sharon had wanted to move back to England for years, especially as she got older. England was always home for them, but it became more than that.", reports the Mirror US.
"It was about creating peace and the best life possible together in their final chapter. The path back to England wasn't easy. His health has been fragile for years." The source mentioned that Ozzy's move from the US to the UK was "a gift, because they got a year and half together, at home."
The music world was left reeling after Ozzy's family announced his death on a Tuesday, a mere fortnight after his poignant Back To The Beginning gig at Villa Park.
Their statement expressed: "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."
In the lead-up to his passing, Ozzy performed his final concert, Back to the Beginning, at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, on July 5.
During a radio interview prior to his last performance, Ozzy shared with his fans, "It's my final encore; it's my chance to say thank you to my fans for always supporting me and being there for me. I couldn't have done my final show anywhere else. I had to go back to the beginning."
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Now he's gone the Osbourne matriarch will do everything in her power to maintain her husband's legacy and be strong for their three children.
The Sun
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She kept her gaze down and appeared to kiss a rose she brought with her before tentatively laying it down upon hundreds of other bouquets. Kelly and Jack helped Sharon stand back up, as she covered her face, overwhelmed with emotion. Both siblings were also in tears as they supported their mother. Sharon wore Ozzy's ring on a chain around her neck in memory of her late husband, while Kelly donned round sunglasses in a nod her father's famous look. Stoic Sharon and her rarely seen daughter Aimee also waved to the emotional crowd and gave peace signs to fans. They stood alongside Louis, Ozzy's son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, who was donning a purple tie in honour of his father. Chants of "Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy" rang out, with many shouting messages of support for Sharon. One could be heard saying "we love you Sharon" as she laid flowers next to the cortege. Ozzy's name was displayed in the funeral cortege with vibrant purple flowers. The procession was lead by a live brass band formed with local musicians from Bostin' Brass in honour of Ozzy's legacy. The Jaguar hearse carrying the singer's coffin went by his childhood home, where tributes also mount, just before 1pm. It was accompanied by six Mercedes funeral cars, police motorcycle riders and a police car, on Lodge Road, before making its way to Broad Street. Fans began gathering from early yesterday morning, with touching floral tributes left by the Black Sabbath bench in the centre of the city. 9 9 9 Some displayed hand-painted banners, while others held Prince of Darkness themed balloons. Many in the crowd showed off their Ozzy tattoos in honour of the late rock legend. A book of condolence is now open for fans to sign at Aston Villa's stadium, Villa Park. Fittingly, Ozzy's final performance before his death was at the ground. His Back To The Beginning Show, which raised money for local charities as well as Parkinson's UK, saw him playing a 20-minute solo set before he sang four songs with Black Sabbath. The icon became known as the "Prince of Darkness" in his six-decade career thanks to his on-stage antics that attracted a legion of heavy rock fans. His death drew condolences from stars including Sir Rod Stewart, Noel Gallagher and Sir Elton John. Ozzy's heart would have broken seeing Sharon's tears By Ellie Henman TO the sound of the fantastic Bostin Brass Band, Ozzy's cortege passed slowly along Broad Street. Along with the bursts of applause from the thousands of devoted fans who had lined up to say goodbye, the procession was everything Ozzy would have wanted. This day was, as he had hoped, a celebration of his life and his legacy. His heart however, I know, would have broken to see his wife Sharon, held up by her son Jack, breaking down in tears in front of the sea of flowers that had been laid for him at the Black Sabbath bridge. Those close enough to Sharon shouted out to her and applauded in a small gesture of support. Today was no doubt one of the most difficult days of Sharon's life. My heart ached as I saw Jack, Aimee, Kelly and Louis standing shoulder to shoulder in the city their father made so proud. Losing your husband, your father, is difficult enough. Sharing that grief, although they wanted to, would have been incredibly hard. This afternoon's procession was the first of two fitting farewells to the Prince of Darkness who would have no doubt made a joke about all the fuss. As Ozzy himself said, there was no such thing as death for him. 'I will retire when I hear the nail go in the box and then I will do an encore,' he joked last year. 'I am the Prince of Darkness.' Tomorrow Sharon, their children, and Ozzy's closest friends will gather at a church in Gerrards Cross to say their final goodbyes to the pioneer of heavy metal music. Ozzy, I have been told, will then be laid to rest in the family's Buckinghamshire home where he made so many happy memories. The pain of his loss will never go away for those closest to him and for the fans who held him up as an icon. But with his music, Ozzy's legacy will continue to inspire and delight generations to come.
