John Michael Osbourne, popularly known as Ozzy Osbourne, is an English musician, songwriter, and actor born on December 3, 1948, in Aston, Birmingham, England. He is widely considered one of the pioneers of heavy metal music and is also known for his outrageous on-stage antics and off-stage controversies.
Early Life
Osbourne grew up in a working-class family and had a difficult childhood. He struggled in school and left at the age of 15 to work various jobs, including construction work, before eventually becoming a trainee plumber. Osbourne had a passion for music from an early age and would often skip school to attend concerts and rehearsals.
Musical Career
In 1967, Osbourne formed his first band called Rare Breed, which later changed its name to Earth. In 1969, Osbourne met guitarist Tony Iommi, and together they formed the band Black Sabbath. The band’s debut album, “Black Sabbath,” was released in 1970 and is considered one of the most influential albums in heavy metal history.
Osbourne’s distinctive vocals, combined with Iommi’s heavy guitar riffs, helped establish Black Sabbath as a leading band in the genre. Osbourne continued to front the band through several successful albums, including “Paranoid,” “Master of Reality,” and “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath,” before leaving the group in 1979 due to personal conflicts.
After leaving Black Sabbath, Osbourne launched a successful solo career, releasing his debut album, “Blizzard of Ozz,” in 1980. The album featured several hit songs, including “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” and helped establish Osbourne as a solo artist. He continued to release successful albums throughout the 1980s, including “Diary of a Madman,” “Bark at the Moon,” and “The Ultimate Sin.”
In addition to his music career, Osbourne has also appeared in several films and television shows, including “Trick or Treat,” “Little Nicky,” and “The Osbournes,” a reality show that aired from 2002 to 2005 and followed Osbourne and his family.
Personal Life
Osbourne has been married to his wife, Sharon Osbourne, since 1982. The couple has three children together, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. Osbourne has publicly struggled with addiction throughout his career and has spoken openly about his struggles with alcohol and drugs. He has also faced several legal and personal controversies, including a highly publicized incident in 1982 where he bit the head off a live bat during a concert.
In 2019, Osbourne announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which forced him to cancel several tour dates. Despite his diagnosis, Osbourne has continued to work on new music and has stated that he has no plans to retire from music.
Ozzy Osbourne has been married twice and has five children from his two marriages.
Thelma Riley – Ozzy Osbourne’s first wife
First Marriage:
Osbourne’s first marriage was to Thelma Riley, whom he married in 1971. The couple had two children together, Jessica and Louis, before they divorced in 1982. During their marriage, Osbourne struggled with addiction and infidelity, which ultimately led to their divorce.
Thelma Riley is the first wife of Ozzy Osbourne. She was born in 1949 in Birmingham, England. Not much is known about her personal life or her background before her marriage to Ozzy.
Riley met Osbourne in the late 1960s when he was still the lead singer of Black Sabbath. They began dating and got married in 1971. The couple had two children together, a daughter named Jessica and a son named Louis.
During their marriage, Riley struggled to cope with Osbourne’s substance abuse and erratic behavior. In his autobiography, “I Am Ozzy,” Osbourne admits to being unfaithful to Riley and spending long periods of time away from home due to his drug use.
Despite their challenges, Riley remained married to Osbourne for over a decade before they eventually divorced in 1982. Following their divorce, Riley has largely remained out of the public eye and has not made any public statements about her marriage to Osbourne.
Since their divorce, Osbourne has been openly critical of his behavior during his marriage to Riley. In an interview with The Guardian in 2010, he admitted to feeling regret over his past behavior and acknowledged that he was not a good husband to Riley.
Sharon Arden – Second wife of Ozzy Osbourne
Second Marriage:
In 1982, Osbourne married Sharon Arden, who later became his manager. The couple has three children together: Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. Sharon has been credited with helping to revive Osbourne’s career after his departure from Black Sabbath and has been a driving force behind his success as a solo artist.
Sharon Arden is a British music manager, television personality, and businesswoman. She was born on October 9, 1952, in London, England, to music executive Don Arden and his wife, Hope Shaw. Sharon grew up in a privileged environment, attending private schools and enjoying a comfortable lifestyle.
Arden began her career in the music industry in the 1970s, working for her father’s management company, Jet Records. She later worked for the band Black Sabbath, where she met Ozzy Osbourne, who was the band’s lead singer at the time.
In the early 1980s, Arden became Ozzy’s manager and played a significant role in shaping his solo career. She helped him launch his solo album “Blizzard of Ozz,” which went on to become a huge success. Arden also negotiated deals for Ozzy’s tours, merchandise, and other business ventures, turning him into a global brand.
Arden and Ozzy were married in 1982 and have three children together, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack. Their marriage has been the subject of media scrutiny and has faced numerous challenges over the years, including Ozzy’s infidelity and struggles with addiction.
In addition to managing Ozzy’s career, Arden has also worked with other artists, including Smashing Pumpkins, Electric Light Orchestra, and Gary Moore. She has also served as a judge on several reality TV shows, including “The X Factor” and “America’s Got Talent.”
Despite their success, the couple has faced several challenges in their marriage. In 2016, Sharon briefly left “The Talk,” a television show she co-hosts, after allegations of infidelity against Ozzy surfaced. The couple later reconciled, and Ozzy publicly apologized for his behavior.
Arden has also been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including raising awareness for colon cancer, supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and advocating for animal rights.
In 2002, Arden was diagnosed with colon cancer and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. She has since become an advocate for early detection and screening for the disease, using her platform to raise awareness and encourage others to get tested.
Osbourne has also struggled with addiction throughout his marriage to Sharon. In 2013, he admitted to relapsing after several years of sobriety and stated that he was seeking treatment for his addiction.
What are Ozzy Osbourne’s children doing?
Ozzy and Sharon’s oldest child, Aimee, is not as involved in the entertainment industry as her siblings. She has chosen to keep a low profile and has rarely appeared on the family’s reality show or in the media.
Kelly Osbourne is a singer, actress, and television personality who has appeared in several television shows, including “Dancing with the Stars” and “Fashion Police.” She has also released several albums, including “Shut Up” and “Sleeping in the Nothing.”
Jack Osbourne is a television producer and director who has worked on several reality shows, including “The Osbournes,” “Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour,” and “Portals to Hell.”
Ozzy Osbourne‘s affairs
Osbourne has publicly admitted to several extramarital affairs throughout his marriage to Sharon. In his autobiography, “I Am Ozzy,” he admits to cheating on Sharon with multiple women, including his children’s nanny.
In addition to his infidelity, Osbourne has also faced accusations of sexual harassment and assault. In 2019, former bassist Bob Daisley accused Osbourne of sexual harassment and intimidation, which Osbourne denied. In 2020, a former hairdresser for the Osbournes also accused Osbourne of sexual assault, which he also denied.
Ozzy Osbourne – Net Worth
Ozzy Osbourne’s net worth was estimated to be around $220 million. However, it’s worth noting that net worth estimates can vary depending on the source and the methodology used.
Ozzy’s wealth has primarily come from his successful music career, which spans several decades and includes his work with Black Sabbath as well as his solo career. He has also made money from various business ventures, including his reality TV show, “The Osbournes,” which aired from 2002 to 2005 and was a huge success.
In addition to his music and business ventures, Ozzy has also made money from various endorsements and merchandise deals. He has endorsed products ranging from Pepsi to the World of Warcraft video game, and has licensed his name and image for various products, including T-shirts, hats, and action figures.
It’s worth noting that Ozzy has faced various financial challenges over the years, including lawsuits and business failures. However, he has been able to bounce back from these setbacks and maintain his wealth over the years.