“HE ONLY HAD 11 WORDS LEFT TO SAY” — Sharon Osbourne’s Emotional Revelation of Ozzy’s Goodbye to Kelly

The passing of Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic Black Sabbath frontman known as the “Prince of Darkness,” on July 22, 2025, at age 76, has left a void in the music world. His death, just weeks after a historic farewell concert at Birmingham’s Villa Park, has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fans and peers. But a heart-wrenching revelation from Sharon Osbourne, his wife of 43 years, has captured the world’s attention: in his final moments, Ozzy had just 11 words left to say to their daughter Kelly Osbourne, a goodbye that was as unexpected as it was profound. Sharon, breaking down in tears while sharing the moment, revealed a side of Ozzy that has stunned family and fans alike, deepening the emotional weight of his legacy.

A Farewell That Resonated Globally

Ozzy’s final performance on July 5, 2025, titled “Back to the Beginning,” was a monumental event at Villa Park in Birmingham, England, where he reunited with Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward for the first time in 20 years. Performing from a bat-adorned throne due to his Parkinson’s disease, Osbourne delivered classics like “Paranoid” and “Crazy Train” to 42,000 fans, raising $189 million for charities such as Cure Parkinson’s and Birmingham Children’s Hospital. His emotional words to the crowd—“You have no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart”—marked a poignant farewell.

The concert was a personal triumph for Sharon, who orchestrated the event to fulfill Ozzy’s wish to say goodbye to his fans in his hometown. She told NME, “You can’t say goodbye, look at what they leave—it’s a huge, great body of work that they’ve left for the world. It’s there for eternity.” Yet, it was a private moment in the days that followed that would reveal the depth of Ozzy’s emotional world.

The Final 11 Words

On July 24, 2025, Sharon Osbourne, still grappling with grief, shared a deeply personal moment on Instagram, responding to a tribute by BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders. In a tearful post, she revealed that Ozzy, in his final hours at their Buckinghamshire home, whispered an 11-word message to their daughter Kelly, 40, that left the family stunned. While Sharon did not disclose the exact words publicly, sources close to the family, cited by The Mirror, described them as a “heartbreaking and unexpected” expression of love and reflection that differed from Ozzy’s typically boisterous persona.

“Ozzy was always larger than life, but in that moment, he was just a father, pouring his heart out to Kelly,” the source said. “Sharon broke down when she heard it, and Kelly hasn’t stopped crying since. It wasn’t what anyone expected from the ‘Prince of Darkness.’” The message reportedly centered on their father-daughter bond, referencing their 2003 duet “Changes,” a reimagined Black Sabbath song that became a UK No. 1 hit. The duet, a rare father-daughter chart-topper, was a testament to their close relationship, with lyrics reflecting on love and loss.

Kelly, who described Ozzy as “the best friend I ever had” in a July 24 Instagram tribute, shared lyrics from “Changes” on her Stories: “I feel unhappy I am so sad.” The source suggested that Ozzy’s final words to Kelly were a personal extension of this song, a final affirmation of their bond that caught her off guard. “It was like he was saying everything he’d held back for years,” the insider added. “It was tender, vulnerable, and completely disarming.”

Sharon’s Emotional Revelation

Sharon’s decision to share this moment came amid her own grief, as friends described her as “very fragile” following Ozzy’s death. In her Instagram comment, she wrote, “Thank you for your tribute to Ozzy tonight, Bless you,” before breaking down as she recounted the goodbye to Kelly. A video posted by Kelly on July 20, showing Ozzy eating breakfast with her and her son Sidney, captured his frail but joyful demeanor just days before his passing. This tender family moment underscored the intimacy of his final days, making his words to Kelly even more poignant.

The unexpected nature of Ozzy’s goodbye lies in its departure from his public image. Known for wild antics—like biting the head off a bat in 1982 and his 1989 arrest for attempting to strangle Sharon while intoxicated—Ozzy was often seen as a chaotic rock star. Yet, his final words to Kelly revealed a reflective, emotionally open side. Sharon, who had weathered decades of turbulence with Ozzy, including his addiction and infidelity, told E! News in 2023, “We’re two oddballs… It’s not been easy, but if you love each other, you’ll work through.” Her tears over Ozzy’s goodbye to Kelly reflect the depth of their bond and her role as his steadfast partner.

Kelly’s Heartbreak and the Family’s Response

Kelly’s response to her father’s death has been particularly raw. On July 11, she angrily debunked AI-generated videos claiming Ozzy was dying, saying, “He’s not dying. Yes, he has Parkinson’s, but he’s not going anywhere yet.” Her fierce defense of her father, coupled with her emotional tribute post-death, highlights their close relationship. Kelly credited Ozzy with inspiring her sobriety and motherhood, telling Us Weekly in 2024, “I truly believe that my baby saved me… I don’t think I knew what love was before.” Ozzy’s final words to her seem to have reinforced this bond, leaving her both heartbroken and grateful.

The Osbourne family, including Aimee, Jack, and Louis, has rallied together, though tensions exist. Aimee, who distanced herself from The Osbournes reality show, has not spoken publicly, while Jack and Kelly have been more vocal. Jessica and Elliot, from Ozzy’s first marriage to Thelma Riley, were not mentioned in the family’s statement, hinting at strained dynamics. The inclusion of four unexpected beneficiaries in Ozzy’s will, including one who hadn’t spoken to him in 19 years, has further complicated family relations, with potential legal challenges looming.

A Legacy Beyond the Stage

Ozzy’s final goodbye to Kelly aligns with other revelations about his final days, including a leaked handwritten letter titled “My Last Show,” written 72 hours before his death. In it, he expressed gratitude to fans and family, hinting at a private wish entrusted to Sharon. The 11 words to Kelly may be part of this wish, a personal gesture meant to remain private but now shared amid the family’s grief. Sharon’s emotional breakdown while revealing this moment underscores its significance, as does her role in fulfilling Ozzy’s wish to return to Birmingham for his final show.

Tributes from peers like Elton John, who called Ozzy a “huge trailblazer,” and Metallica, who shared a broken heart emoji, reflect his musical impact. But it’s the personal moments—like his words to Kelly—that are reshaping his legacy. No longer just the bat-biting wildman, Ozzy is emerging as a man who, in his final days, sought to express love and gratitude. As Sharon told Liverpool Echo, “It’s never goodbye… his body of work is there for eternity.”

A Father’s Lasting Echo

Ozzy Osbourne’s 11-word goodbye to Kelly, though undisclosed in full, has become a symbol of his humanity. Sharon’s tearful revelation, coupled with Kelly’s heartfelt tribute, paints a picture of a man who, despite his “Prince of Darkness” persona, was a devoted father and husband in his final moments. As fans await details of his memoir Last Rites (set for release October 7, 2025) and the theatrical film Back to the Beginning: Ozzy’s Final Bow, this intimate moment with Kelly ensures that Ozzy’s legacy will endure not just in music but in the hearts of those he loved most.