Ozzy Osbourne died at 76 years old: what did the heavy metal legend die of

Ozzy Osbourne, undisputed icon of heavy metal and  voice of Black Sabbath, died this Tuesday at the age of 76. The British musician passed away surrounded by his loved ones, according to an official statement released by his family.

The death occurred just a few weeks after what had been announced as his final live performance. Back then, he shared the stage with his longtime bandmates at Villa Park, Birmingham.

His final appearance: an epic farewell with Black Sabbath

Earlier this month, Osbourne bid farewell to the audience at a show that was promoted as "the greatest heavy metal concert in history." He took the stage alongside Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward, with whom he performed a brief set of five songs.

During the event, the singer announced that it would be his last performance due to his fragile health. Since 2020, he had spoken openly about his diagnosis of  Parkinson's and the complications arising from that disease.

The Osbourne family stated:  "With more sadness than words can express, we must inform you that our beloved Ozzy passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask for respect for our privacy at this time."

Ozzy's legacy: from Black Sabbath to television

Born as John Michael Osbourne in 1948 in Birmingham, he left school at the age of 15 and held several jobs before turning to music. In 1968, he founded Black Sabbath with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward, marking the beginning of a new era in hard rock.

With the band, Ozzy recorded anthems such as "Iron Man," "Paranoid," and "War Pigs," and earned awards including two Grammys and a place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006. However, in 1979, he was expelled from the group due to his addiction problems.

Far from fading away, his solo career excelled brightly. He released 13 studio albums, won five Grammys, and achieved success with hits like "Crazy Train" and "No More Tears." His wife, Sharon Osbourne, became his manager and a key figure in his personal and professional recovery.

The musician also became a cult television figure with the reality show "The Osbournes," aired between 2002 and 2005. He shared the screen with Sharon and their children Kelly, Aimee, and Jack, who also developed their own media careers.