Ozzy Osbourne, lead singer of Black Sabbath, has died aged 76.

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John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne, the lead singer of heavy metal band Black Sabbath, has died at the age of 76, his family says.

Osbourne was "surrounded by love" during his last moments, a statement from his family said.

"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," the statement said.

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

Watch: Ozzy Osbourne dies, aged 76. Post continues below.

In 2003, Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, a nervous system disorder that impacts movement. However, it was a diagnosis he would not disclose until January 2020.

Just weeks before his death, on July 5, Osbourne performed from a throne at the Black Sabbath farewell concert in Birmingham.

He could no longer walk due to the illness, but that didn't stop him from putting on a show for his fans.

In a February 2025 interview with The Sun, his wife Sharon Osbourne said, "He's very happy to be coming back and very emotional about this. Parkinson's is a progressive disease. It's not something you can stabilise. It affects different parts of the body, and it's affected his legs. But his voice is as good as it's ever been."

Image: Getty.

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948 in Aston, Birmingham, Osbourne left school at 15 and did odd jobs including factory work before teaming up with school friend Geezer Butler in several bands.

He formed the group in 1968, along with members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward.

As frontman of Black Sabbath, he was at the forefront of the heavy metal scene — a deeper, darker offshoot of hard rock.

His theatrical stage presence, including once biting off the head of a bat, and styling himself as the Prince of Darkness marked him out as a controversial figure.

In 1978, Osbourne launched a solo career that proved equally successful.

Ozzy and Sharon with their daughter Kelly (left). Image: Getty.

Osbourne was first married to Thelma Riley. They met in 1971 at a nightclub and married soon after. Their marriage lasted until 1982, ending the same year Osbourne married Sharon.

The pair welcomed three children, Elliot Kingsley (Thelma's son from a previous relationship, whom Osbourne adopted), Jessica Osbourne and Louis Osbourne.

Osbourne first met Sharon (then Sharon Levy) in 1970 when her father, Don Arden, managed Black Sabbath. At the time, Sharon was just 18 years old, and there were no immediate romantic feelings.

It wasn't until 1979, after Osbourne was fired from Black Sabbath due to substance abuse issues, that their relationship truly began.

Osbourne and Sharon married on July 4, 1982. Together they welcomed three children, Aimee, Kelly and Jack.

The family's celebrity was heightened when they starred in their own reality TV show The Osbournes, which premiered on MTV.

Performing at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Osbourne discussed his health issues.

He said, "That's the only thing that reminds me I'm getting older: things going wrong and not working anymore.

"But I still feel young at heart."

-With Reuters, AAP.

Feature image: Getty.