He was the 'Prince of Darkness' and the 'Godfather of Metal': Ozzy Osbourne has died at the age of 76. As his family announced on Tuesday, he passed away peacefully in the morning "surrounded by love".
No cause of death was given, but Osbourne had been battling the effects of Parkinson's disease and other health setbacks for years. Just days earlier, he had performed his farewell concert 'Back to the Beginning'. What nobody realised at the time: this concert would be his very last.
Ozzy Osbourne: farewell to a legend
40,000 fans witnessed a magical night in Birmingham, where it all began 56 years ago: Ozzy, visibly weakened by Parkinson's, sang from a specially built throne. Beside him on stage: his old Black Sabbath colleagues and rock giants like Axl Rose, Tom Morello, James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich.
"I don't know what to say. I've been flat on my back for six bloody years. You can't imagine how I feel," he called out to his fans - words that take on heartbreaking significance today.
Parkinson's defeated the metal icon
The cause of death remains unknown, but Ozzy had been struggling with serious health problems for years. Parkinson's disease had increasingly weakened the rock star, compounded by complications from injuries sustained in a serious fall in 2019.
Recently, the family also had to fight against rumours and fake news. Just days ago, daughter Kelly Osbourne had publicly defended against AI-generated false reports about alleged assisted dying plans for her father: "Stop with the lies!", she pleaded desperately.
Ozzy and Rocky: a friendship for life
What many don't know: behind the dark stage persona of the 'Prince of Darkness' was a man with an enormous heart - especially when it came to his four-legged friends. Ozzy and his wife Sharon loved dogs.
The most important among Ozzy's animal companions: Rocky, his Pomeranian. The fluffy dog was by Ozzy's side for over 15 years, on tour, at home, in rehab - a silent friend in the rock star's life.
When Rocky died in August 2025, Ozzy was deeply shattered. On Instagram he wrote: "I'll see you on the other side, my friend. I will always love you."
Rocky - more than a pet
Rocky wasn't just a family dog, he was an integral part of the Osbourne dynasty. Sharon Osbourne called him Ozzy's "partner in crime", daughter Kelly shed tears at his death: "I don't know what it'll be like coming home and not seeing him there anymore."
In a particularly touching clip from 2017, you can see Rocky headbanging to Ozzy's hit "Crazy Train" - a scene that moved hundreds of thousands of fans. Ozzy commented at the time: "My biggest fan, my dog Rocky." And he meant it.
The legacy of a rock legend
Perhaps it was precisely his unconditional love for dogs that best revealed his human side. The man who played the devil on stage was a gentle giant at home who loved his Rocky above all else. Today they're reunited - the 'Prince of Darkness' and his biggest fan. Forever.
For many, Ozzy Osbourne's death marks the end of an era, for others the beginning of a legend. Because as Ozzy once said: "I'm immortal - at least in your ears."
