Sharon Osbourne made a tearful farewell to her rocker husband Ozzy
EAGLE-eyed fans have spotted Sharon Osbourne’s heartwarming tribute to her beloved husband.
Sharon, who was married to Ozzy for 43 years, was spotted wearing his ring on her necklace as she said a tearful goodbye at the rock icon’s funeral procession today.
6
Sharon was spotted with Ozzy’s ring around her neck
6
Sharon, centre, is supported by her children Kelly and Jack as they stop at the Black Sabbath bridge in BirminghamCredit: i-Images
6
A tearful Sharon Osbourne gives the peace sign as she mourns the loss of her husband OzzyCredit: Getty
Brave Sharon hugged daughter Kelly, 40, and held son Jack’s hand as she broke down in tears while laying flowers.
She was visibly moved as she read heartfelt messages penned by fans.
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.
The singer died last Tuesday aged 76, will be laid to rest tomorrow in a private family service on grounds of his home after today’s procession.
A source said: “Sharon and the family want to celebrate Ozzy’s life with his fans, with plans for the cortege to travel through Birmingham.
“Tomorrow they will have a closed service at a church in Gerrards Cross, Bucks.”
Ozzy and Sharon’s daughter Aimee, 41, who avoids the limelight, was also present and laid flowers at the memorial.
She is the eldest daughter of Sharon and Ozzy – but declined to appear on the family’s MTV reality series The Osbournes, which propelled her relatives into even greater stardom.
Also attending was Louis, the son Ozzy shared with his first wife Thelma Riley, was pictured saying his final goodbyes to his father alongside Sharon and her children.
Up Next
Inside Ozzy Osbourne’s final days after historic last show ‘took huge toll’ on his health
Ozzy Osbourne funeral plans revealed
The 50-year-old stood side-by-side with Jack, 39, Kelly, 40 and Aimee, 41, as the family followed behind the Black Sabbath icon’s hearse through the streets of Birmingham.
Thousands of fans lined the streets of Birmingham for the rock legend’s funeral procession – with many donning Black Sabbath gear and memorabilia dedicated to Ozzy.
Stoic Sharon and Aimee waved to the emotional crowds and gave peace signs to fans.
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.
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.
Musicians from Bostin Brass played Black Sabbath songs to accompany the cortege, and fans threw flowers at the hearse while it slowly passed through the city.
Fans also left tributes outside a mural on Navigation Street, which was created ahead of the Back to the Beginning concert at Villa Park, which took place a few weeks ago.
One Osbourne fan, called Goose, said he “was a family member” and said they discovered heavy metal as a teenager.
“That’s when I found, like millions of people around the world, that there was music that was for us, something that understood us,” they said.
More on Ozzy Osbourne…
‘If it’s end of the road, I can’t complain’ How hard-living rocker Ozzy Osbourne had no regrets amid health battles
Ozzy Osbourne joined Black Sabbath on stage for poignant final show weeks before death aged 76
Emotional moment Ozzy celebrated with daughter Kelly after she got engaged at last concert days before death
Ozzy Osbourne’s final words to adoring fans just weeks before rock legend died
The rocker’s final photo as Black Sabbath star snapped beaming on stage in final gig
Black Sabbath lead tributes to rock legend after his tragic death
Osbourne family’s full touching statement as they mourn rock icon Ozzy ‘with more sadness than mere words can convey’
From bat-biting antics & drug battles to rollercoaster reality show – how Ozzy truly earned title of Prince of Darkness
Who is Kelly Osbourne’s fiance and Slipknot member Sid Wilson?
Who is Jack Osbourne’s wife Aree Gearhart and do the couple have any children together?
How Sharon’s devotion to Ozzy never wavered through his drug hell
“We knew that there was somebody out there that felt the way that we did and it was a constant presence.
“Ozzy helped give that to the world. He was a family member. He felt like a family member to so many people and he touched so many people’s lives.”
Evie Mayo, from Wolverhampton, said the heavy metal star had inspired her and everyone in Birmingham.
She said: “I think he was so influential, he was such an inspirational person. I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well.
“Now that he’s not here any more, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.”
She added: “He inspired me by… I love his music, absolutely love his music. I’m learning guitar so that I can learn some of his songs.”
Elsewhere, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham said that Osbourne was a “working class hero” who loved his city.
Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates – Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – were recently given the freedom of the city of Birmingham, which recognises people’s exceptional service to the city.
The group, which formed in 1968, is widely credited with defining and popularising the sound of heavy metal.
Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans when he appeared in the 2000s reality TV series The Osbournes, starring alongside his wife Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack.
The music star, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2019, performed his last gig on July 5 in a concert that also saw performances from the likes of Anthrax, Metallica and Guns N’ Roses.
Osbourne died just over two weeks after Black Sabbath were reunited barely two miles from where they first played together more than 50 years ago.
6
Vibrant purple flowers featured in the hearseCredit: Story Picture Agency
6
Members of the public view tributes at the Black Sabbath Bench and Bridge as Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral cortege travels through his home city of BirminghamCredit: Getty
6
The streets were lined with mourners paying their last respects to the much-loved Black Sabbath singerCredit: Getty
“IT’S NOT JUST A GOODBYE…” – SHARON OSBOURNE’S EMOTIONAL DISCOVERY AT OZZY’S FUNERAL
On July 30, 2025, the city of Birmingham, England, came alive with the spirit of Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary Black Sabbath frontman, as thousands gathered to celebrate his life following his passing on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. The funeral procession, a vibrant blend of heavy metal anthems and heartfelt tributes, wound through the streets of his hometown, pausing at landmarks like the Black Sabbath Bridge and his childhood home on Lodge Road. Yet, it was during the private funeral service at St. Philip’s Cathedral, attended by family and close friends, that a moment of profound silence gripped the congregation. Mid-speech, Sharon Osbourne paused, reached under the podium, and pulled out a hidden envelope. What she read aloud from that envelope—a final message from Ozzy himself—left the entire church in stunned, tearful silence, transforming the farewell into something far more than a goodbye.
A Celebration of a Legend
The day began with a public procession that captured Ozzy’s irreverent, larger-than-life persona. A hearse adorned with a purple floral cross spelling “Ozzy” led the way, accompanied by Bostin Brass, a local band playing Black Sabbath classics like “Paranoid” and “Crazy Train.” Fans lined Broad Street, tossing roses and chanting “Ozzy! Ozzy!” in a tribute that honored his wish for a celebratory send-off, as he had once quipped in a 2013 Rolling Stone interview: “I want a party, not a wake. Play some Sabbath, maybe some Bieber to mess with everyone.” Sharon, joined by their children Kelly, Jack, Aimee, and Ozzy’s children from his first marriage, Louis and Jessica, walked behind the hearse, pausing to lay tributes at the Black Sabbath Bench, where fans had left messages, bat-shaped balloons, and references to Ozzy’s infamous 1982 bat-biting incident.
The procession was a testament to Ozzy’s deep connection to Birmingham, where he was recently honored with the Freedom of the City award. Sharon, visibly moved, placed a single pink rose among the tributes, supported by Kelly and Jack as fans shouted, “We love you, Sharon!” The event, organized with Birmingham City Council, was a fitting homage to the “Prince of Darkness,” whose music and charisma had shaped heavy metal and inspired generations.
The Private Funeral Service
Following the procession, the Osbourne family gathered for a private funeral service at St. Philip’s Cathedral, a historic venue that contrasted with Ozzy’s wild rockstar image but resonated with the solemnity of the occasion. The cathedral, adorned with purple and black floral arrangements, was filled with close family, Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, and a few industry friends, including members of Metallica and Judas Priest. Kelly, wearing her father’s signature round sunglasses, and Jack, clutching a copy of Ozzy’s memoir Last Rites (set for release on October 7, 2025), sat beside Sharon, who had been the backbone of Ozzy’s career and personal life since the 1970s.
Sharon took the podium to deliver a eulogy, her voice steady but heavy with emotion as she recounted Ozzy’s journey from a working-class Birmingham lad to a global icon. She spoke of his struggles with addiction, his 2003 Parkinson’s diagnosis, and the 2019 fall that left him reliant on a wheelchair, yet emphasized his resilience and humor. “Ozzy never stopped fighting,” she said, her voice breaking. “He fought for his music, for us, for you all.” The congregation, already emotional, listened intently, unaware of the moment that would soon redefine the service.
The Envelope Under the Podium
Midway through her speech, Sharon paused, her gaze drifting to the podium’s edge. She reached beneath it, her hands trembling, and pulled out a small, weathered envelope, its edges yellowed with age. The church fell silent, the air thick with anticipation. “I didn’t know this was here,” Sharon whispered, her voice amplified by the microphone. She carefully opened the envelope, revealing a single sheet of paper covered in Ozzy’s unmistakable, jagged handwriting. The date at the top read “2003,” the year of his Parkinson’s diagnosis, a time when he was grappling with his mortality.
As Sharon began to read, her voice faltered, and tears streamed down her face. The message began: “It’s not just a goodbye, my loves. It’s a thank you.” The words, raw and heartfelt, were Ozzy’s final letter to his family and closest friends, written over two decades earlier but hidden until this moment. He addressed Sharon as “my rock, my reason,” thanking her for saving him from addiction and standing by him through their darkest moments, including the 1989 incident when he was arrested for attempting to harm her during a drug-fueled episode. To his children—Aimee, Kelly, Jack, Jessica, Louis, and adopted son Elliot—he wrote, “You are my greatest hits, my proudest legacy. Never let anyone dim your light.”
The letter also revealed Ozzy’s quiet acts of kindness, many unknown even to Sharon. He described secretly funding scholarships for Birmingham youth, inspired by his own struggles growing up, and sending anonymous donations to addiction recovery centers. “I made mistakes,” he wrote, “but I tried to make things right, even if no one saw.” The final line, read by Sharon in a trembling whisper, brought the church to a standstill: “Keep the music loud, keep the love louder. I’ll be rocking with you, always. – Ozzy.”
A Moment of Silence and Connection
The reading of the letter silenced the cathedral. Kelly, seated in the front pew, buried her face in her hands, while Jack, typically stoic, wiped tears from his eyes. Aimee, who had maintained a private life away from the spotlight, reached for Kelly’s hand, their strained relationship softened by the shared weight of their father’s words. Tony Iommi, Ozzy’s longtime bandmate, later told Kerrang! that the letter felt like “Ozzy stepping back on stage for one last solo.” The congregation, bound by the intimacy of the moment, felt the presence of Ozzy’s spirit, his humor and heart woven into every word.
Sharon, after a long pause, folded the letter and placed it beside a photograph from the Blizzard of Ozz era, showing Ozzy in his prime—wild hair, defiant grin, and arms outstretched. She addressed the congregation, her voice now resolute: “This wasn’t just a goodbye. It was Ozzy’s way of telling us to keep living, to keep loving, to keep fighting.” The service concluded with a recording of “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” Ozzy’s 1991 ballad inspired by Sharon, played softly as the family lit candles in his memory.
A Legacy Beyond the Stage
Ozzy Osbourne’s life was a tapestry of chaos, creativity, and redemption. From pioneering heavy metal with Black Sabbath to launching a solo career with albums like Diary of a Madman, he sold over 100 million records and redefined rock music. His reality show The Osbournes introduced his quirky, lovable side to a new generation, while Ozzfest showcased emerging talent. Despite battles with addiction and health challenges, Ozzy’s final years were marked by gratitude, culminating in his farewell concert on July 5, 2025, at Villa Park, where he performed “Paranoid” from a throne, his voice unwavering despite his frailty.
The envelope’s discovery added a profound layer to Ozzy’s farewell. Kelly shared a snippet of the letter on Instagram, writing, “Dad always had one more surprise up his sleeve. This was his love letter to us all.” Jack, in a statement to Billboard, noted that the message reflected Ozzy’s desire to leave a legacy of hope: “He wanted us to keep rocking, and that’s what we’ll do.” Fans, inspired by the family’s openness, continued to leave tributes at the Black Sabbath Bridge, with messages like “Ozzy Forever” and “Thank You, Prince of Darkness.”
As the Osbourne family left the cathedral, Sharon clutched the envelope, a tangible piece of Ozzy’s heart. The letter, hidden under the podium, was more than a farewell—it was a call to carry forward his spirit of resilience and love. In Birmingham and beyond, Ozzy’s music and message will echo for generations, a reminder that even in death, the Prince of Darkness found a way to shine.
