Born into the gritty industrial heart of Birmingham, England, John Michael Osbourne, who would later rise to international fame as Ozzy Osbourne, experienced life from a very different starting point than most global icons. As the fourth of six children in a working-class household, young Ozzy’s early years were marked by hardship, overcrowding, and constant financial strain.
The Osbournes lived in a small two-bedroom home in Aston, a suburb of Birmingham. His father, Jack, worked night shifts at a tool factory, while his mother, Lilian, held multiple jobs just to keep food on the table. Hand-me-down clothes were a fact of life, and many nights dinner was barely enough to feed the large family. Ozzy would later recall how he wore the same pair of shoes until they fell apart, and how meat was a luxury.
From an early age, Ozzy struggled with dyslexia, a condition that went largely undiagnosed and misunderstood at the time. Reading and writing didn’t come easily to him, and as a result, he was often ridiculed by peers and dismissed by teachers. His classmates dubbed him “Ozzy,” a nickname that would unexpectedly follow him into his legendary music career. Though he faced ridicule, the nickname stuck—and eventually became iconic.
School became a place of frustration and alienation. After years of struggling academically and facing bullying, Ozzy made the decision to leave school at just 16. In search of a livelihood, he cycled through a variety of menial jobs: construction work, plumbing assistance, and most memorably, a grueling stint in a slaughterhouse, where he was responsible for gutting and cleaning animal carcasses. The experience left an indelible mark on him—not only emotionally, but also contributing to the dark, often grotesque themes that would later define his musical persona.
But these jobs weren’t enough to keep him out of trouble. During his late teens, Ozzy became involved in petty crime, including burglary. After being caught stealing a television and other items, he was sentenced to six weeks in Winson Green Prison for failure to pay a fine. This brief prison term served as a wake-up call.
After his release, Ozzy’s life could have continued down a path of crime and obscurity. But something within him clung tightly to one thing: music. He’d always had a fascination with sound, with the theatricality of rock and roll, and the power of performance. Inspired by bands like The Beatles and Cream, Ozzy resolved to try and make something of himself in music—even if the odds seemed impossible.
In 1968, he placed an ad in a local music shop, seeking bandmates. Fate answered when he joined forces with Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—fellow Birmingham musicians who shared a taste for heavy, experimental sounds. Together, they formed a band called Earth, which later became Black Sabbath.
With their dark, heavy riffs and occult-inspired lyrics, Black Sabbath pioneered an entirely new genre: heavy metal. Their self-titled debut album in 1970 sent shockwaves through the music world. Songs like “Paranoid”, “Iron Man”, and “War Pigs” became anthems of rebellion and angst. Ozzy’s eerie vocals and unpredictable stage presence—biting the head off a bat in 1982 being one infamous example—cemented his image as the “Prince of Darkness.”
While his musical career soared, Ozzy’s personal life was often chaotic. His first marriage, to Thelma Riley in 1971, produced two children, but the relationship was strained by substance abuse and constant touring. Eventually, the couple separated.
Then came Sharon Arden, the daughter of music manager Don Arden. Sharon believed in Ozzy when many didn’t. She helped revive his solo career after he was fired from Black Sabbath in 1979, and their partnership turned into a lifelong romance. They married in 1982, and despite intense ups and downs—including addiction, health scares, and personal struggles—their bond has endured for over four decades.
Together, they had three children: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack Osbourne. Their family life was thrown into the public eye with the launch of the reality show The Osbournes in 2002, giving fans a peek behind the curtain into their wildly unconventional but loving household. The show was a cultural phenomenon, and for many, it revealed a new side of Ozzy—not just a rock god, but a caring, confused, funny dad trying to navigate family life.
Ozzy’s relationship with his daughter Kelly Osbourne is particularly heartfelt. Despite being in the spotlight since she was young, Kelly has always spoken openly about her father’s influence on her life. In touching Instagram posts, she has described him as her “hero” and her “greatest teacher.” Their bond, built on mutual respect and resilience, reflects the deeply human side of Ozzy—far removed from the wild stage antics that made headlines.
Now well into his 70s, Ozzy Osbourne has faced multiple health battles, including a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Still, he remains active, creative, and engaged with fans. He continues to release music, offer interviews, and connect with the world through social media and public appearances.
With six children (including those from previous relationships) and over ten grandchildren, Ozzy’s legacy isn’t just about music. It’s about overcoming hardship, staying true to oneself, and demonstrating that even the most unlikely individuals can become legends—without losing the people they love most.