The question has been everywhere lately: is Ozzy Osbourne deceased? Honestly, it’s one of those things you almost don't want to type into a search bar. For decades, the guy seemed invincible. He survived enough substances to knock out a horse and famously walked away from an ATV crash that should’ve ended things back in 2003. But time eventually catches up with every legend.
Sadly, the answer is yes.
John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne passed away on July 22, 2025. He was 76 years old.
It wasn't a sudden shock for those who had been following the news closely, but it still felt like the end of an era. The "Godfather of Heavy Metal" spent his final years battling Parkinson's disease and the fallout from a series of grueling spinal surgeries. He died at his home in Buckinghamshire, England, surrounded by Sharon and the kids.
The Final Bow in Birmingham
Before he left us, Ozzy did something most people thought was physically impossible. On July 5, 2025, just 17 days before he died, he took the stage one last time. It happened in his hometown of Birmingham at Villa Park.
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They called the event "Back to the Beginning."
He couldn't walk. He hadn't been able to stand unassisted for quite a while. So, he performed the entire set from a massive, ornate black throne. It was heavy, it was loud, and it was emotional. He opened with "I Don't Know" and closed the night with a full Black Sabbath reunion, performing "Paranoid" with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward.
Seeing him up there, struggling but still hitting those notes, was a testament to his grit. He told the crowd of 50,000 that he’d been "laid up for six years" and thanked them from the bottom of his heart. It was a goodbye, even if we didn't want to admit it then.
What was the cause of death?
According to the official coroner’s report released later that year, the primary cause of death was an acute myocardial infarction—basically, a massive heart attack. He also suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
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There were other factors, though.
- Parkinson's Disease: Specifically PRKN 2, which he had been living with for years.
- Coronary Artery Disease: A common issue, but exacerbated by his long-term health struggles.
- Autonomic Dysfunction: A complication of Parkinson's that affects involuntary body functions like heart rate and blood pressure.
His son, Jack, later shared on The Osbournes Podcast that the months leading up to the end were rough. Ozzy had actually contracted pneumonia and sepsis earlier in 2025. Sharon admitted they almost lost him in March of that year, but he fought through it just to make it to that final Birmingham show.
Why people are still searching "is Ozzy Osbourne deceased" in 2026
Even now, months later, the confusion persists. Why? Because the Osbourne machine hasn't stopped.
First off, there’s the "Working Class Hero" exhibition at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery. It’s been so popular that they just extended it again through September 2026. If you go, you’ll see his Grammys, his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame trophies, and a massive tribute wall covered in thousands of fan messages.
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Then there’s the biopic. Jack Osbourne recently confirmed that a movie about Ozzy’s life is in "full steam" development with Sony. They’ve apparently found a "phenomenal actor" to play him, though the name is still under wraps.
And don't forget the posthumous memoir. Titled Last Rites, it hit shelves in October 2025 and became an instant bestseller. It’s a raw look at his final years and his thoughts on mortality. Hearing his voice through those pages makes it feel like he hasn't really left.
The Legacy of the Prince of Darkness
Ozzy wasn't just a singer; he was a cultural shift. From the gloom of Black Sabbath to the neon chaos of the 80s and the reality TV madness of the early 2000s, he reinvented himself constantly.
Critics like Roger Waters have recently stirred the pot with some less-than-kind comments about Ozzy’s lifestyle, but the metal community has largely ignored the noise. To the fans, he was the guy who made it okay to be an outsider. He sold over 100 million albums. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—once with Sabbath in 2006 and again as a solo artist in 2024.
Moving Forward: How to Honor the Legend
If you're looking for ways to keep the memory alive or catch up on what you missed, here are the best steps to take right now:
- Visit the Exhibition: If you're anywhere near the UK, the "Working Class Hero" exhibit in Birmingham is open until September 27, 2026. It's free, but it gets crowded.
- Watch "No Escape from Now": This Paramount+ documentary was released late in 2025. it chronicles his final four years with incredible, sometimes heartbreaking, honesty.
- Read "Last Rites": Pick up a copy of his final memoir. It fills in the gaps about his health struggles that the family kept private until the very end.
- Listen to the Final Tracks: Shortly before he passed, Ozzy recorded several sessions with Zakk Wylde. Keep an ear out for potential archival releases rumored for later this year.
The Prince of Darkness might be gone, but the "Crazy Train" hasn't stopped rolling. We're just living in the echoes of the loudest career in rock history.