Jack Osbourne Reflects on Ozzy Osbourne's Final Years

Jack Osbourne has recently offered a poignant look into the final years of his father, rock icon Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away in July 2025 at the age of 76. In a candid interview with Rolling Stone published on October 9, Jack shared emotional insights into Ozzy's health battles, his last electrifying performance, and the profound impact of his death on the family, particularly his mother, Sharon Osbourne. These reflections paint a picture of both immense pain and unexpected joy during a challenging period for the legendary musician and his loved ones.

The conversation delved into the "Back to the Beginning" concert, a significant farewell event held on July 5, 2025, in Ozzy's hometown of Birmingham, England. Despite facing severe health issues, Ozzy was determined to perform one last time for his devoted fans, even reuniting with Black Sabbath for a powerful four-song finale. Jack described this performance as a "living wake," a unique opportunity for his father to bid a personal goodbye to the audience that had supported him throughout his illustrious career.

Jack also discussed the completion of Ozzy's memoir, "Last Rites," which was finalized just days before his passing and published around October 7, 2025. This book chronicles the last seven years of Ozzy's life, offering a deeply personal account of his struggles and triumphs. Jack revealed that his father, despite his public persona, was surprisingly private about the writing process, often downplaying the significance of his work on the memoir.

Regarding his mother, Sharon Osbourne, Jack conveyed her ongoing struggle with grief, stating she is "okay, but she's not okay" as she navigates a new reality without her lifelong partner. He emphasized the strong support system surrounding her, including his own efforts to be present. Jack highlighted that Ozzy "hated people feeling sorry for him" and that the family is committed to moving forward while honoring his father's wishes for them to keep going.

• **Ozzy's Enduring Health Challenges:** Ozzy Osbourne endured a difficult period in his final years, marked by seven surgeries over five years following a significant neck injury in 2019. This decline in health, while a "curse," also presented a "blessing" by forcing the "Prince of Darkness" to slow down.
• This unexpected pause allowed him valuable time for introspection, enabling him to reflect deeply on his life's journey, his successes, failures, joys, and sorrows, ultimately clarifying what truly mattered to him.
• **The "Back to the Beginning" Farewell Concert:** The concert on July 5, 2025, in Birmingham was a monumental event, serving as Ozzy's final live performance. Despite being in considerable pain, he performed unmedicated to be lucid for his fans, delivering hits like "Crazy Train" and reuniting with Black Sabbath for a powerful four-song finale.
• Jack Osbourne and his brother watched with immense pride and emotion, recognizing the profound significance of this "living wake" where Ozzy could say goodbye to his global fanbase.
• **Ozzy's Posthumous Memoir, "Last Rites":** Ozzy's second autobiography, "Last Rites," was completed just days before his death and released on October 7, 2025. Jack revealed that his father had been working on it for several years, feeling compelled to follow up "I Am Ozzy" to cover significant life events, including the Black Sabbath reunion, his last two albums, and his health battles.
• Ozzy, described as a "humble egomaniac," was private about the writing, often downplaying its importance.
• **Sharon Osbourne's Adjustment to Loss:** Jack Osbourne provided an intimate glimpse into his mother Sharon's emotional state following Ozzy's death, describing her as experiencing "ups and downs." He noted her struggle to find a "new norm" and navigate life without her "person."
• Jack emphasized the extensive love and support she receives from family and friends, underscoring the profound impact of losing a partner after decades of marriage.
• **Strengthened Marital Bonds Amidst Adversity:** Paradoxically, Ozzy's declining health in his final years led to a strengthening of his relationship with Sharon. Jack described this as a "blessing and a curse," explaining that his father's slowing down helped to heal past issues and reinforce their bond.
• This period allowed them to reconnect on a deeper level, finding solace and renewed intimacy in the face of challenging circumstances.
• **Ozzy's Legacy: Love for Work and Family:** Jack Osbourne articulated his father's core values, stating that Ozzy wanted to be remembered as someone who deeply loved his job and his family. He also highlighted Ozzy's great sense of humor.
• Jack stressed that his father "absolutely hated when people felt sorry for him," encouraging fans to remember him with joy and to "keep moving forward," a sentiment Ozzy himself expressed even in his final days.
• **An Unexpected Week of Family Togetherness:** In a serendipitous turn of events, Jack and his family unexpectedly spent an extra week with Ozzy in England just before his death. Their planned vacation to Portugal was canceled due to his children falling ill with a stomach virus.
• This unforeseen time together, filled with happiness and good moods as Ozzy read positive reviews of his final show, became a cherished memory for Jack, who expressed immense gratitude for the "stomach flu."