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Ozzy Osbourne’s surprising final words about fans

Sharon Osbourne has revealed Ozzy’s touching final words about his fans’ love before his death at age 76.

Sharon's emotional goodbye as thousands farewell Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy Osbourne’s final words about fans have been revealed a month after he passed away at age 76.

The rocker’s grieving wife Sharon opened up about his final appearance on stage with Black Sabbath.

She told Pollstar: “It was the first time, I think, that anybody’s gone into retirement and done it, where the show is streamed and it goes to charity.

“So it’s the first time anybody has said goodnight like that, it’s the perfect way, when you’ve had such a long career, to end it st– I never wanted Ozzy to just disappear without some big event.

“He [Ozzy] turned around and he said to me that night, he said, ‘I had no idea that so many people liked me’.”

Ozzy Osbourne leaves behind widow, Sharon, 72, their kids, Kelly, 40, Jack, 39, and Aimee, 41, and his son Louis, 50. Picture: AFP
Ozzy Osbourne leaves behind widow, Sharon, 72, their kids, Kelly, 40, Jack, 39, and Aimee, 41, and his son Louis, 50. Picture: AFP

OFFICIAL CAUSE OF DEATH

The frontman officially died from cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease on July 22, according to a death certificate obtained by The Sun on Tuesday.

The death certificate was submitted by Ozzy’s daughter, Aimee Osbourne, at a registry in London, per the New York Times.

Ozzy’s family previously confirmed the news of his passing in a statement to The Post.

They stated Ozzy died “surrounded by love.”

“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,” they said. “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.”

Ozzy Osbourne died at age 76 from cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease on July 22, according to a death certificate. Picture: Getty Images
Ozzy Osbourne died at age 76 from cardiac arrest, acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease on July 22, according to a death certificate. Picture: Getty Images


PRIVATE FUNERAL

The music icon was laid to rest near the lake of his Buckinghamshire home last Thursday. Around 110 people reportedly attended the private ceremony including Ozzy’s family and members of the music industry including his longtime guitarist, Zakk Wylde, who led the mournful procession.

“The day was incredibly emotional,” a source told The Sun.
“Pictures of Ozzy were dotted throughout the house and a photograph of him was given to everyone who attended to take home with them.”

The insider added: “Ozzy wanted his final place of rest to be at home and he is buried at a beautiful point on the lake.”

The day before the ceremony, an emotional funeral procession took place through the streets of Ozzy’s hometown in Birmingham, England.

Ozzy’s family members were all dressed in black and wore different items in Ozzy’s honour at his funeral. Picture: Getty Images
Ozzy’s family members were all dressed in black and wore different items in Ozzy’s honour at his funeral. Picture: Getty Images

Ozzy’s widow, Sharon, 72, their kids, Kelly, 40, Jack, 39, and Aimee, 41, and his son Louis, 50, joined thousands of fans in the streets to say goodbye to the heavy metal icon.

The family members were all dressed in black and wore different items in Ozzy’s honour.

Photos from the procession showed Sharon hugging Kelly and holding Jack’s hands as she broke down in front of a memorial for Ozzy, where the family laid purple flowers.

Sharon and the kids then followed close behind as a hearse carrying the Prince of Darkness’ body drove down Birmingham’s popular Broad Street and paused at the Black Sabbath Bench and Bridge.

OZZY’S LEGACY

Ozzy confirmed his Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2020. Ozzy had also undergone multiple surgeries in recent years, including going under the knife for a debilitating spinal injury in 2019.

Three years before his passing, Ozzy revealed just how he wanted to be remembered.

The legendary rocker said “survival is my legacy” during a 2022 interview with People.

“I mean, I’m 73. People go, ‘Well, you’re 70 … why don’t I throw the towel in?’ Why should I? People still want to buy my records,” Ozzy told the outlet at the time.

“People still want to see me, so why should I? It motivates me to get off my backside and do something. I mean, if my career had gone down the toilet and I knew it was the end, I’d be pretty miserable.”

Ozzy’s stature in the music industry included three Grammy wins and being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. Picture: Ross Halfin
Ozzy’s stature in the music industry included three Grammy wins and being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. Picture: Ross Halfin

Ozzy also noted what he wished to instil in others.

“Never give up,” he shared. “If you’ve got a passion for something, you’ve got to find a way around it to carry on the passion.”

In 2018, Ozzy got candid on his stature in the music industry, which included three Grammy wins and being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice. He was inducted in 2006 with Black Sabbath and again as a solo artist in 2024.

“I’d like to be remembered for the work I did with Black Sabbath,” he told The Guardian. “I’m so proud of the music. But to be honest, just being remembered would be an achievement to me.”

“I come from Aston in Birmingham, y’know? I used to play on bomb sites,” he continued. “There’s a guy living in the house I grew up in, and they charge people £200 to sleep in the bedroom I had as a kid.”

HEALTH BATTLES

Ozzy had a troubling few years before his death.

“It’s been five years of absolute hell for me and the family,” he confessed while on “Piers Morgan Uncensored” in Sept. 2023.

“My family has been so supportive,” he continued. “I couldn’t have done it without them. It’s been really a bad scene.”

In 2019, Ozzy fell and suffered a major neck injury that required surgery. He previously hurt his neck in 2000 during a bike crash. Picture: Getty Images
In 2019, Ozzy fell and suffered a major neck injury that required surgery. He previously hurt his neck in 2000 during a bike crash. Picture: Getty Images

The Prince of Darkness stated: “I have Parkinson’s — but I never think about it.”

He was originally diagnosed in 2003, but kept it private for 17 years.

Sharon, Jack and Kelly were also in attendance during the interview.

Jack told Morgan, 60, that the “biggest misconception” about his dad’s condition was that Parkinson’s was his only health challenge.

“It’s really the neck injury and the fall that he took,” Jack explained.

In 2019, Ozzy fell and suffered a major neck injury that required surgery. He previously hurt his neck in 2000 during a bike crash.

“I just got up and carried on but I had broken my neck, and I carried on working with it until I had that fall, and then just everything came undone,” he recalled.

Sharon also spoke out about how her husband’s health challenges affected her life.

“It changes your whole life,” she confessed. “Suddenly you’re off in another direction and your life changes so drastically. It’s really hard. For the last five years, our life has changed dramatically.”

“But on the other hand,” Sharon noted, “it’s great that I’ve had Ozzy at home for five years. He’s driving me crazy, but we’ve been together everyday for five years.”

In 2023, Ozzy cancelled his tour three months before it was scheduled to kick off due to health issues.

At the time, he told Rolling Stone that he had “at best, ten years left” to live.

“I don’t fear dying,” Ozzy admitted. “But I don’t want to have a long, painful and miserable existence. I like the idea that if you have a terminal illness, you can go to a place in Switzerland and get it done quickly. I saw my father die of cancer.”

Two weeks prior to his death, the musician took to the stage for one final show.

He performed at Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” farewell concert in his hometown of Birmingham, England.

Ozzy sang while sitting down in a black leather chair since he was unable to walk.

The legendary hit maker sang five songs solo, and was then accompanied by his former bandmates Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Geezer Butler for four final Black Sabbath tunes.

BLACK SABBATH TRIBUTE

Following Ozzy’s death, his former Black Sabbath bandmates shared a touching tribute to the late star.

“Ozzy Forever,” the British rockers wrote on Instagram, beneath a picture of Ozzy at their July 5 show.

In a separate post, Iommi, 77, penned on X, “I just can’t believe it. My dear dear friend Ozzy has passed away only weeks after our show at Villa Park.”

“It’s just such heartbreaking news that I can’t really find the words,” he added, “there won’t ever be another like him. Geezer, Bill and myself have lost our brother.”

“My thoughts go out to Sharon and all the Osbourne family. Rest in Pease, Oz. Tony.”

– with The New York Post.

Originally published as Ozzy Osbourne’s surprising final words about fans

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/entertainment/ozzy-osbournes-cause-of-death-revealed-at-age-76/news-story/ebde1e3e8f4ff945aaca30ef545d7ee0