Sharon Osbourne Addresses Tribute Following Ozzy Osbourne’s Passing

Sharon Osbourne has spoken on social media after Ozzy Osbourne‘s death.  

The British TV personality commented on a tribute to her late husband — who died at the age of 76 on Tuesday (July 22) — written by Gavin Rossdale, the lead singer of Bush. His was one of countless messages of grief that flooded social media in the wake of Ozzy’s passing, but it does appear to be the first one Sharon has responded to. 

On Instagram, Rossdale wrote that he’d met the Black Sabbath frontman “just a few times, but he was so warm and kind and funny, and I love that memory.”

“Sending much love to his family at this difficult time,” he added, captioning a photo of himself and Ozzy. “Rest in power.”

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In the replies, Sharon — who was also Ozzy’s manager — simply wrote, “Bless you.” 

Her individual comment follows a joint statement from Ozzy’s family announcing his death on Tuesday. “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,” it read. “He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”

In addition to Sharon, the Prince of Darkness is survived by their children Aimee, Kelly and Jack, as well as ex-wife Thelma Riley and their kids, Jessica, Lewis and Eliot. Much of his family was present at Ozzy’s final concert with bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward, who played their Black Sabbath farewell show in Birmingham, England, just three weeks before their frontman’s death. 

Sharon and Ozzy wed in 1982 after meeting through the former’s father, Don Arden, who was Black Sabbath’s manager. Together, the quirky married duo led one of the first-ever family-centered reality shows, MTV’s The Osbournes, on which they quickly became one of TV’s most lovable couples.

Despite some rough patches in their relationship caused by Ozzy’s struggles with alcohol , infidelity and health issues later on, Sharon and Ozzy stuck by one another for more than four decades despite a brief split in 2016. On their 40th wedding anniversary in 2022, Sharon wrote on Instagram, “We first met when I was 18, over 52 years we have been friends, lovers, husband & wife, grandparents and soulmates. Always at each other’s side. I love you Ozzy.” 

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