By Evridiki Fatolia,
Ozzy Osbourne (his real name was John Michael Osbourne), the iconic front-man of Black Sabbath dubbed the “Prince of Darkness,” passed away on July 22, 2025 at the age of 76, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and declining health.He died surrounded by family, including his wife Sharon and their children
Their relationship began when Sharon Levy, who was the daughter of Ozzy’s early manager, met him at 18 and eventually relaunched his career after he was dismissed from Black Sabbath in 1979. They got married on July 4, 1982, in Maui, Hawaii
They had three children together—Aimee (1983), Kelly (1984), and Jack (1985)—while Ozzy had two older children, Louis and Jessica, from his previous marriage, plus an adopted son Elliot Kingsley
Despite the longevity of their marriage, Ozzy and Sharon’s relationship was far from smooth. Ozzy’s addiction and infidelities rocked their union; Sharon even attempted suicide upon learning of Ozzy’s affair from 2012 to 2016
In 1989, a violent incident nearly ended their marriage: Ozzy, in a drug-fueled episode, attempted to strangle Sharon. Though he was arrested, she later dropped the charges and he entered treatment. Sharon considered divorce but eventually stayed—and they later renewed their vows in 2017.
Ozzy faced increasingly severe health issues in his later years. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020 (though his condition reportedly stretched back earlier), spinal surgeries and a fall in 2019 left him largely immobile by 2025
From all accounts, Sharon was his unwavering rock. She managed logistics, provided emotional support, and coordinated medical care as Ozzy’s strength declined. Insiders credit her with helping him navigate what they called “absolute hell” in the last years of his life.
Ozzy himself acknowledged Sharon’s influence, saying she saved him and that he felt lucky she didn’t leave him despite his failings
Ozzy’s final live performance was held on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park in Birmingham—his hometown—with Black Sabbath’s original line‑up reuniting for a charity concert called Back to the Beginning. The show raised funds for Parkinson’s research, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Hospice. Ozzy delivered a short solo set before joining his bandmates; his voice remained strong even as his mobility faltered
Following Ozzy’s death, Sharon and their children announced a posthumous autobiography titled Last Rites, set for October 2025. Sharon is expected to write the foreword. The book reportedly includes raw reflections on Ozzy’s personal life, including the affair that nearly destroyed their marriage.
Fans and media continue to spotlight Sharon’s grief and resilience—she has broken her silence to thank fans and fellow artists for tributes, while insiders comment on how fragile she has become since losing her “soulmate” of more than four decades
While their marriage faces challenges—including substance abuse, infidelity, violence, and serious illness—Ozzy and Sharon repeatedly returned to one another. As Sharon put it: “I’ve never loved anyone as much as I’ve loved him… Our relationship hasn’t been rainbows and roses the whole time… But I just know that my life is better with my husband in it than it is without him.” Ozzy, too, called their marriage his proudest achievement and spoke of being in love with her until the end.
In losing Ozzy, Sharon lost not just a husband—but a shared history of music, chaos, family, and redemption. Her public persona may remain strong, but at her core sits the grieving widow of rock’s Prince of Darkness—a woman whose love carried them through hell—and who now must carry on alone.
References
- Heavy Metal Icon Ozzy Osbourne Dies at 76. OBSESSED. Available here
- Ozzy Osbourne’s autobiography to be published ‘uncensored’ months after his death with foreword from wife Sharon. The Sun. Available here
