Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Legacy: “Survival Is My Story”

Before his death at 76, Ozzy Osbourne—known to the world as the “Prince of Darkness”—reflected on how he wished to be remembered. Not for the fame, the fortune, or the heavy metal empire he helped build, but simply as a man who never stopped fighting.

“Survival is my legacy,” he told PEOPLE in a 2022 interview. “I mean, I’m 73. People go, ‘Why don’t you throw in the towel?’ Why should I? People still want to buy my records. People still want to see me. That motivates me to get off my backside and do something.”

A Final Farewell in His Hometown

On Tuesday, July 22, Ozzy passed away at his estate in the UK, surrounded by his family. The news was shared by his wife Sharon Osbourne and their children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. The loss sent shockwaves through the global music community, even though many fans had seen it coming after his long struggle with Parkinson’s disease and multiple spinal injuries.

Still, Ozzy made sure his exit wasn’t quiet. Just weeks earlier, on July 5, he performed one last time in Birmingham—his hometown and the very birthplace of Black Sabbath. At the “Back to the Beginning” benefit concert, he reunited with the original band lineup for the first time in two decades.

He sat on a throne, visibly frail but emotionally present. His voice still had grit, and the crowd knew it was more than a performance—it was goodbye.

Remembering Where He Came From

In an earlier interview with The Guardian in 2018, Ozzy spoke with characteristic humility:

“Just being remembered would be an achievement to me,” he said. “I come from Aston in Birmingham, y’know? I used to play on bombsites… There’s a guy living in the house I grew up in, and they charge people £200 to sleep in the bedroom I had as a kid.”

From those bombsites, Ozzy went on to shape the sound of modern rock. As frontman of Black Sabbath, and later in his solo career, he inspired generations. But his greatest pride wasn’t just in the music—it was in enduring.

A Family’s Heartfelt Statement

After confirming his death, the Osbourne family released a statement that echoed the quiet intimacy of his final moments:

“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. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy at this time.”

Ozzy is survived not only by Sharon and their children, but also by Jessica and Louis—his children from his first marriage to Thelma Riley—and several grandchildren.

A Legacy Bigger Than Music

Though often associated with wild antics and dark theatrics, Ozzy’s final years were defined by generosity and grit. The “Back to the Beginning” concert raised over $190 million for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice.

“You’ve no idea how I feel, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Ozzy told the crowd that night, visibly moved.

He Never Quit—And That’s the Point

Ozzy never wanted to be remembered as untouchable or immortal. What he wanted was simpler, and more human.

“Never give up,” he once said. “If you’ve got a passion for something, you’ve got to find a way around it to carry on the passion.”

And he did—until the very end.

From Aston to arenas, through addiction, injury, and illness, Ozzy Osbourne never stopped pushing forward. His voice may be gone, but his spirit—raw, real, and resilient—continues to echo through every riff, every lyric, and every fan who refuses to give up.