One week after Ozzy Osbourne died at the age of 76, his celebration of life was held in central England where Sharon Osbourne, his wife of 43 years, was photographed expressing her anguish.
Sharon Osbourne is saying goodbye.
As Ozzy Osbourne’s loved ones gathered to celebrate his life, more than one week after his July 22 death at 76, his wife of 43 years emotionally led his funeral procession in Birmingham, England.
Sharon, who wore a simple black dress with a long gold chain, covered her mouth through tears as she took in the flowers and other accouterments left to honor her late husband at the Black Sabbath bridge bench on Birmingham’s Broad Street.
Alongside Sharon were her and Ozzy’s children Aimee Osbourne, 41, Kelly Osbourne, 40 and Jack Osbourne, 39. The family embraced as they took in the beautiful memorial for the late rock star and were surrounded by fans and other loved ones as they made their way through the town’s center for the procession.
While the family donned all black, Kelly, who wore her platinum blonde hair in a slicked back bun, honored her father’s signature style by sporting a pair of purple tinted sunglasses, and waved to onlookers as she and her younger brother Jack physically supported their mother through her grieving.
Just weeks after Ozzy’s farewell performance in his native Birmingham, where he was joined by his family as well as his Black Sabbath bandmates, his family confirmed he had died.
“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,” the family wrote in a statement to E! News at the time. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”
Sharon, for her part, has continued to grieve for her husband privately, although she expressed gratitude for a social media tribute shared by Gavin Rossdale, writing under his July 22 post, which highlighted the musician’s warmth and humor, “Bless you.”
Ben STANSALL / AFP
Meanwhile, Kelly shared that she was reminiscing on her father’s iconic music career, posting his 1972 song “Changes” to her Instagram Story shortly after his passing was confirmed.
“I feel unhappy,” Kelly wrote at the time, quoting her father’s lyrics. “I am so sad. I lost the best friend I ever had.”
Keep reading for more heartfelt tributes to the legend…
Stephen Lovekin
Metallica
The heavy metal band shared a throwback photo of Ozzy Osbourne with a simple broken heart emoji as the caption.
KMazur / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Elton John
“He was a dear friend and a huge trailblazer who secured his place in the pantheon of rock gods – a true legend,” he wrote. “He was also one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I will miss him dearly. To Sharon and the family, I send my condolences and love.”
Gilbert Carrasquillo / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Questlove
“Love Live The Oz,” he wrote. “Rest In Melody.”
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Jason Momoa
“Love you @ozzyosbourne All my aloha @sharonosbourne and ohana,” he wrote alongside a picture with Ozzy and wife Sharon Osbourne. “So grateful. RIP.”
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Flavor Flav
“Man,,, real heart broken over the passing of OZZY OSBOURNE,” the rapper shared on X. “We go way back and it was a real honor to watch him get inducted into the @rockhall last year. Sending my love and prayers to Sharon and his kids and whole family. RIP.”
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Bret Michaels
“One of the greatest rock legends to ever live…” the Def Leppard member wrote, noting the band would dedicate their upcoming shows to Ozzy. “And to my friend @sharonosbourne and the entire Osbourne family, sending my deepest condolences. Ozzy, may you forever rest in peace and thank you for rocking our world.”
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Ice T
“RIP Ozzy,” he wrote on X. “Right after the recent huge Black Sabbath final concert. Sad.. In my opinion the Creators of Heavy Metal.”
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Paul Feig
“He was such a sweet guy and so up for having fun with his image,” the director recalled. “He was a true legend and the music world wouldn’t have been the same without him. RIP Ozzy.”
CraSH/imageSPACE
Smashing Pumpkins
Alongside a video of Sharon and Billy Corgan, the band wrote, “We [heart] you too, Ozzy.”
Jim Bennett / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Mike McCready of Pearl Jam
Writing on behalf of the band, lead guitarist Mike McCready detailed when he first discovered Black Sabbath in high school.
“‘War Pigs’ was terrifying and mesmerizing at the same time,” he wrote. “It was Ozzy’s voice that took me away to a dark universe. A great escape. Then when The ‘Blizzard of Ozz’ record came out I was instantly a fan. Thanks for the music, Ozzy it makes our journey in life better.”
New Line Cinema
Adam Sandler
Of his Little Nicky costar, the actor wrote, “Whether we were in our basements with our brothers, in the woods with our buddies, in the car, at a keg party, on a boat, at football practice, at a sleepover….Nobody was more badass to crank up on our speakers than the one and only prince of darkness – Ozzy Osborne! Loved him a lot like we all did!”
SplashNews.com
Josh Brolin
“What a talent and what an impact on me,” the Goonies star wrote, “and so many others that found it him a thriving misfit with the voice of the grimy blood in our darkest vein. He was circus and theatre and love and loyalty and the everyman’s talent.”
Kevin Mazur / Contributor / GETTY IMAGES
Ronnie Wood
“I am so very sad to hear of the death of Ozzy Osbourne,” the Rolling Stones’ guitarist wrote. “What a lovely goodbye concert he had at Back To The Beginning in Birmingham.”
“THIS WAS HIS SECRET…” – Sharon Osbourne REVEALS a Hidden Letter Tucked Inside Ozzy Osbourne’s Guitar Case During His Final Tribute in Birmingham That Leaves Fans Crying
On July 5, 2025, the heavy metal world converged on Birmingham, England, for a monumental event: Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance with Black Sabbath, titled “Back to the Beginning.” The sold-out concert at Villa Park Stadium, attended by over 42,000 fans and viewed by millions online, marked a historic reunion of the original Black Sabbath lineup—Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for the first time in two decades. The event was a celebration of Osbourne’s legacy as the “Prince of Darkness,” a pioneer of heavy metal who, alongside his bandmates, reshaped music history. However, it was a deeply personal revelation from Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife and manager, that left fans in tears, transforming the night into a poignant farewell to a rock legend who passed away just weeks later on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76.
The Final Bow: A Night to Remember
The “Back to the Beginning” concert was more than a performance; it was a homecoming for Osbourne, born John Michael Osbourne in Birmingham in 1948. Despite his battle with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 2019, and a series of health challenges—including a 2003 ATV accident and subsequent spinal surgeries—Ozzy took the stage seated on a bat-themed throne, a compromise orchestrated by Sharon to ensure he could perform despite his physical limitations. The throne, adorned with skulls, was a testament to his enduring persona, and he delivered a set that included Black Sabbath classics like “War Pigs,” “Iron Man,” and “Paranoid,” alongside solo hits such as “Crazy Train” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.”
The concert raised £140 million ($190 million) for charities, including Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice, reflecting Ozzy’s desire to give back to his hometown. The emotional weight of the night was palpable, with Osbourne addressing the crowd, mascara streaked by tears, saying, “You’ve got no idea how I feel. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” A message on the screen read, “Thank you for everything, you guys are f***ing amazing. Birmingham Forever,” as fireworks lit up the sky.
The Hidden Letter: A Secret Unveiled
In the days following Ozzy’s death, Sharon Osbourne shared a heart-wrenching discovery that added a new layer of emotion to the already unforgettable concert. During a tribute event in Birmingham, Sharon revealed that she had found a hidden letter tucked inside the guitar case used by Ozzy during his final performance. The letter, written in Ozzy’s unmistakable scrawl, was addressed to his fans, his family, and the city of Birmingham—a secret he had kept even from Sharon until after his passing.
The letter, which Sharon read aloud to a gathered crowd of fans and media, was a raw and unfiltered reflection of Ozzy’s life, struggles, and gratitude. In it, he wrote:
“To my fans, my family, my Birmingham—You’ve been my reason to keep going, through the drugs, the darkness, the falls, and the fights. I was never perfect, but you loved me anyway. This last show, it’s my way of saying thank you. I’m just a kid from Aston who got to live a dream bigger than I ever imagined. If I’m gone when you read this, know I left with love in my heart. Keep the music loud, keep the fire burning. Birmingham forever, Ozzy.”
The revelation of the letter sent shockwaves through the heavy metal community, with fans taking to social media to express their grief and admiration. One X post read, “Ozzy’s letter broke me. He poured his soul into it, and it’s like he knew it was goodbye.” Another fan wrote, “Sharon reading that letter was the most heartbreaking thing. Ozzy was our hero, flaws and all.”
Sharon’s Role: The Architect of Ozzy’s Legacy
Sharon Osbourne’s role in Ozzy’s life and career cannot be overstated. Meeting in 1970 when her father, Don Arden, managed Black Sabbath, Sharon became Ozzy’s manager and, later, his wife in 1982. She guided him through his tumultuous solo career, launching albums like Blizzard of Ozz (1980) and Diary of a Madman (1981), and founded the Ozzfest festival, which ran from 1996 to 2018. Her determination to make the “Back to the Beginning” concert a reality, despite insurance concerns over Ozzy’s health, showcased her fierce loyalty. According to reports, Sharon battled insurers who threatened to cancel the show if Ozzy insisted on standing, ultimately securing the throne solution that allowed him to perform.
Sharon’s emotional response to Ozzy’s death underscored their deep bond. In her first public comments, she thanked fans and friends, writing “Bless you” on posts from musicians like Gavin Rossdale and BBC Radio 1 DJ Jack Saunders. She also shared a poignant photo from the concert, captioned “Taking it all in,” showing her tearful reflection as she watched Ozzy perform. The discovery of the letter, however, was a moment of profound vulnerability for Sharon, who admitted to being “heartbroken” but proud of the life they built together.
A Legacy of Resilience and Rebellion
Ozzy Osbourne’s life was a testament to resilience. From a working-class upbringing in Aston, Birmingham, to global stardom, he faced numerous challenges: substance abuse, legal battles, and health issues that included a 2003 ATV accident that broke his collarbone, ribs, and a neck vertebra, and a 2019 fall that dislodged metal rods in his spine. His Parkinson’s diagnosis in 2019 further limited his mobility, but his voice remained strong, as Sharon noted, allowing him to perform until the end.
Osbourne’s antics—biting the head off a bat, snorting ants, and embracing a “Prince of Darkness” persona—made him a controversial figure, but his music and authenticity endeared him to millions. Black Sabbath’s pioneering albums, including Paranoid and Master of Reality, defined heavy metal, while his solo work sold over 100 million records. Tributes from peers like Metallica, who called him a “hero, icon, pioneer,” and Aerosmith, who said he “redefined what it meant to be heavy,” underscored his influence.
The Aftermath: A City Mourns
Birmingham has planned a funeral procession to honor its native son, with fans lining the streets to pay their respects. Sharon, described as “frail” by friends, is reportedly considering a private burial at their Buckinghamshire estate, reflecting the couple’s desire for intimacy in their final chapter. The upcoming release of Ozzy’s second memoir, set for October 2025, with a foreword by Sharon, promises further insights into his life, including his health struggles and the emotional weight of his final performance.
The letter found in Ozzy’s guitar case has become a symbol of his enduring connection to his fans and his hometown. It encapsulates a career defined by raw honesty, unapologetic rebellion, and an unbreakable bond with those who supported him. As Sharon read his words, fans were reminded of the man behind the myth—a flawed, passionate artist who never forgot where he came from.
Conclusion: Birmingham Forever
Ozzy Osbourne’s final letter is more than a farewell; it’s a testament to a life lived loudly and fearlessly. Sharon’s decision to share it during the Birmingham tribute transformed a moment of grief into one of celebration, reminding the world why Ozzy was, and will always be, the “Prince of Darkness.” As fans continue to mourn, his words echo: “Keep the music loud, keep the fire burning.” Birmingham, and the world, will do just that.
