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From iconic hits like “Paranoid,” “Iron Man,” and “Crazy Train,” Ozzy Osbourne has profoundly influenced rock music over the last five decades. This legendary figure, known for his role as the lead vocalist of the groundbreaking band Black Sabbath, has not only garnered five Grammy Awards but has also received a dozen nominations throughout his illustrious career. Beyond his musical achievements, Ozzy is part of the famed Osbourne family, often regarded as the original pioneers of reality TV with their show The Osbournes, which debuted in 2002. His marriage to Sharon Osbourne lasted from 1982 until his passing in July 2025, and together they raised six children who have also made their mark in the entertainment industry.

In addition to his impressive career, Ozzy has recently garnered attention due to his significant health challenges. In 2019, the “No More Tears” hitmaker received a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, a condition that has increasingly affected his ability to perform live. In July 2023, he shared on Instagram that he would be unable to participate in the upcoming Power Trip festival in October due to his deteriorating health. Furthermore, in November 2023, doctors discovered a vertebral tumor during his surgery, adding to his health woes and concerns among fans and followers.

Continue reading to explore the details of Ozzy Osbourne’s health journey and the circumstances leading up to his unexpected death below.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Battle with Parkinson’s Disease: A Personal Journey

The father of six was officially diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in February 2019, following a serious battle with pneumonia and a significant fall at home. Nearly one year later, Ozzy and Sharon appeared on Good Morning America to disclose his diagnosis to the world, speaking candidly with journalist Robin Roberts. “It’s been terribly challenging for us all,” Ozzy stated during the interview, revealing the emotional and physical toll the diagnosis had taken on his family. Following his fall, he explained that the effects on his nerves had become increasingly noticeable.

“I experienced numbness down this arm due to the surgery, and my legs would often go cold,” Ozzy elaborated at the time. Shortly after his fall, he underwent a surgery on his neck, which led to a lengthy recovery period at home. “I’m not sure if that’s the Parkinson’s causing it or something else, but that’s the issue. When they performed the surgery, they had to cut some nerves. I had never encountered nerve pain before, and it’s an unusual sensation,” he added, shedding light on the complexities of living with a chronic condition.

What Is Parkinson’s Disease and Its Impact on Daily Life?

I am now home from the hospital recuperating comfortably. I am definitely feeling the love and support from all my fans and send everyone a big thank you for their thoughts, prayers and well wishes during my recovery

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) June 15, 2022

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that primarily impacts the nervous system, leading to a variety of debilitating symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the earliest indicators can be slow tremors that start in the hands. Other common symptoms include stiffness, slowed movements, impaired posture and balance, diminished automatic movements, changes in speech and writing, and more. Living with Parkinson’s can be incredibly challenging as these symptoms can escalate over time, directly affecting one’s quality of life.

While there is currently no cure for Parkinson’s, many individuals are able to manage their condition effectively with medical intervention. Treatment options may include prescription medications, surgical procedures, and even innovative therapies such as ultrasound treatments. During the announcement of Ozzy’s diagnosis, Sharon assured fans that it was “not a death sentence” for her husband. “Ozzy has PRKN 2,” she explained. “There are multiple forms of Parkinson’s; it doesn’t mean the end, but it certainly influences certain nerves in the body. Some days are good, while others can be extremely challenging.”

How Long Was Ozzy Osbourne Living with Illness Before His Death?

Since his diagnosis in 2019, the rock and roll icon managed to live with Parkinson’s disease until his passing in July 2025. In September 2022, Ozzy and Sharon made another appearance on Good Morning America to update fans about his health status. During this segment, they disclosed that his Parkinson’s was “slowly progressing,” while the aftermath of his surgery and fall had created even more complications. When questioned about his mobility, Ozzy remarked that it was “not great” and mentioned he had to “negotiate” his movements carefully.

Sharon shared during the same interview that Ozzy underwent another surgery in June 2022 to address his chronic pain. “Some metal plates were shifting out of place, causing debris to rub against his spinal cord,” she explained. “He would often cry out in pain on certain days.” Despite the challenges, Ozzy expressed pride in his recovery, noting that he had “improved quite considerably” and could maintain his head position while speaking. By August 2022, he returned to the stage to perform at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games in England, demonstrating his resilience.

How Was Ozzy Osbourne’s Health Leading up to His Death?

Unfortunately, Ozzy’s health took a significant decline in July 2023. The father of Kelly Osbourne took to Instagram on July 10 to announce that he could not perform at the anticipated Power Trip festival scheduled for October due to his deteriorating health. “As painful as this is, I’ve had to make the decision to bow out of performing at Power Trip in October. I had initially planned to return to the stage in summer 2024, and when the offer to perform came in, I optimistically accepted,” Ozzy wrote in his announcement.

“Regrettably, my body is signaling that I’m just not ready yet, and I take immense pride in not wanting my first performance in nearly five years to be lackluster. The replacement band for Power Trip will be announced soon; they are personal friends of mine, and I assure you that you will not be disappointed,” he continued. “Above all, I want to express my gratitude to my fans, my band, and my crew for their unwavering loyalty and support. I love you all, and I look forward to seeing you soon. God Bless, Ozzy.”

In addition, Ozzy disclosed in September 2023 that he was preparing for a fourth surgery related to the ongoing damage from the fall he sustained in 2019. “I’m going for an epidural soon because they’ve discovered that while my neck has been repaired, there are two vertebrae below it where the accident caused severe damage, and there’s hardly anything left,” he shared during an episode of The Osbournes Podcast. “Right now, I’m experiencing a lot of discomfort and pain,” he added, highlighting the ongoing struggle with his health.

In November 2023, during an interview with Rolling Stone UK, Ozzy revealed a grim prognosis, stating he has about ten years left to live “at best” after doctors discovered a vertebral tumor during his fourth spinal surgery that year. “It’s really taken a toll on me,” he admitted. “The second surgery went horribly wrong and left me nearly crippled. I had hoped to bounce back after the second and third surgeries, but with the last one, they inserted a rod into my spine, and they found a tumor in one of the vertebrae, which they had to remove. It’s been incredibly tough, and my balance is severely affected,” he explained, painting a stark picture of his health struggles.

“But look,” he continued. “I told Sharon that I had smoked a joint recently, and she exclaimed, ‘What are you doing that for! It’ll kill you!’ I replied, ‘How long do you want me to live for?!’ Honestly, at best, I have ten years left, and as you get older, time seems to accelerate.”

In early July 2025, Ozzy was present during his daughter Kelly’s engagement as her fiancé, Sid Wilson, proposed during her father’s final concert with Black Sabbath, marking both a poignant and memorable moment for the family.

What Was the Official Cause of Ozzy Osbourne’s Death?

According to a death certificate reviewed by The New York Times in August 2025, Ozzy Osbourne passed away due to a heart attack. The certificate also confirmed that he had been battling coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease throughout his life, underscoring the health challenges he faced up until the end.