Kit KittlestadAug 13, 2025 4 min read

Rock Legend Ozzy Osbourne’s Cause of Death Revealed

File photo dated November 16, 2005, showing Ozzy Osbourne arriving at the UK Music Hall of Fame live final at Alexandra Palace, London.
Associated Press

The world of rock has lost one of its loudest, wildest, and most unforgettable voices. Ozzy Osbourne, the heavy metal icon whose career spanned more than five decades, has passed away at the age of 76. 

Known as much for his onstage theatrics as his raw, genre-defining vocals, Ozzy’s music shaped generations of fans. Now, with confirmation of Ozzy Osbourne’s cause of death, the story of his final months takes on a poignant clarity.

Fans Mourn as Ozzy Osbourne’s Cause of Death Released

According to his death certificate, Ozzy Osbourne’s cause of death was listed as “out of hospital cardiac arrest,” along with “acute myocardial infarction” (the medical term for a heart attack), as well as underlying coronary artery disease and complications from Parkinson’s disease with autonomic dysfunction. 

These health struggles were no secret to fans. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019, Ozzy spoke candidly over the years about the challenges it brought, from tremors and stiffness to unpredictable “bad days.”

Despite multiple surgeries, including one following a serious fall at his Los Angeles home, the former Black Sabbath frontman kept pushing forward. 

His grit, humor, and refusal to fade quietly made his loss feel especially heavy for those who have followed his career from the days of Paranoid and Iron Man through his solo hits and reality TV antics.

The Final Bow: Ozzy Osbourne’s Last Show

Just weeks before his passing, fans witnessed what would be Ozzy Osbourne’s last concert. On July 5, 2025, in his hometown of Birmingham, England, he performed for 40,000 people at Black Sabbath’s “Back to the Beginning” farewell show. 

Ozzy Osbourne in Philadelphia
Wikimedia Commons / Kevin Burkett / CC 2.0

Although he stayed seated during his performance, due to mobility issues, the energy in the arena was electric. Every lyric and cheer from the crowd carried the weight of a shared history.

The show was filmed for a future concert movie and documentary, set to be released in 2026. It now stands as an unexpected time capsule, a final, defiant celebration of a career that redefined heavy metal.

Battling Through the Pain

Ozzy’s health struggles in recent years were intense. Parkinson’s disease was just one battle. The fall in 2019 left him with lasting nerve damage, affecting his arms and legs. 

In interviews, he spoke about numbness, the frustration of being unable to walk, and long recoveries after surgery. Yet, he never lost his trademark wit or perspective, often reminding fans that he’d lived a life much fuller than he ever imagined.

Even as his touring schedule slowed, Ozzy remained a presence in the music world, releasing albums, making appearances, and collaborating with other artists. His resilience became part of his legacy, proof that a rock and roll spirit doesn’t fade easily.

A Legacy Etched in Heavy Metal History

Ozzy Osbourne’s influence on rock music is immeasurable, from fronting Black Sabbath in the late 1960s to launching a wildly successful solo career. 

His sound – dark, theatrical, and unapologetically loud – inspired generations of musicians. Offstage, his unpredictable personality and larger-than-life image made him a cultural phenomenon.

Of course, Ozzy wasn’t without controversy, but that was part of his mythos. Whether biting the head off a bat (a moment he insisted was unplanned) or turning his family life into a reality TV sensation, Ozzy embraced chaos with a grin – and his fans loved him for it.

More Than the Music

Ozzy Osbourne’s funeral, held on July 31st at his estate in Buckinghamshire, was a reminder that his impact went far beyond the records and concerts. Although it was a private affair, thousands of fans gathered in the streets of Birmingham to pay tribute to their idol. 

Ozzy Osbourne's star on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California
Wikimedia Commons / Elmar78 / CC0

They were celebrating Ozzy’s rebellious, unapologetic approach to life that resonated with them. Whether they discovered him through a Black Sabbath vinyl, a solo tour, or The Osbournes on MTV, his impact on their lives was palpable.

The End of an Era

With Ozzy Osbourne’s death, a chapter in music history closes, but his voice will never be silenced. The pounding riffs, haunting lyrics, and moments of madness will live on in every fan who cranks up Crazy Train or War Pigs.

When the lights dim on his final concert footage next year, it will be more than a film. It will be a farewell to a man who gave everything to rock and roll, right until the end.

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