Ozzy Osbourne’s legendary career came to a close just weeks before his passing—but it turns out, his farewell performance nearly didn’t happen the way he dreamed.
What fans didn’t see was the quiet, determined effort his wife Sharon put in behind the scenes to make it possible.
Now, following Ozzy’s death at age 76, that final act of love is coming to light.
A Final Concert Almost Blocked by Insurance Rules
Ozzy wanted to stand and deliver one last proper goodbye to the fans who had stood by him for decades.
But given his health struggles—especially Parkinson’s disease and mobility issues—insurance companies reportedly refused to cover the concert unless he remained seated.
They feared the risk was too high.
That’s where Sharon stepped in.
Sharon’s Determination Made the Farewell Possible
According to insiders speaking to The Mirror, Sharon fought tooth and nail to make sure Ozzy could still perform—on his own terms, as much as possible.
Her solution? A dramatic but practical throne that would allow Ozzy to sit comfortably and safely while still owning the stage.
With that compromise, the insurers came on board, and Ozzy was able to deliver a powerful final set—five solo tracks and four Black Sabbath classics.
“She was a miracle worker,” said a source.
“Without her, that show might never have happened.”
Ozzy’s Last Goodbye to Birmingham and His Fans
That final concert took place at Villa Park Stadium in his hometown of Birmingham, less than three weeks before he died.
Fittingly titled Back to the Beginning, the show was a sold-out homecoming, drawing more than 42,000 fans.
It was also a historic reunion. Ozzy performed alongside his original Black Sabbath bandmates—Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler, and Bill Ward—for the first time in 20 years.
A Moment Frozen in Time
One of the last images of Ozzy taken before his death shows him sitting proudly on that custom black throne, adorned with a bat emblem—a nod to his famously dark persona.
His final words on stage were full of gratitude:
“It’s the last song ever.
Your support has enabled us to live an amazing lifestyle.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
As the show ended, a message lit up the screen:
“Thank you for everything, you guys are f*ing amazing. Birmingham Forever.”**
Then came a burst of fireworks—a fitting end to an iconic career.
The Emergency That Followed
Just a few weeks later, tragedy struck. On Tuesday morning, an emergency call from the Osbournes’ country estate in Buckinghamshire led to an air ambulance being dispatched.
Paramedics arrived at the Grade II-listed Welders House mansion and worked for nearly two hours trying to save him.
The helicopter had flown in from RAF Benson, about 27 miles away, landing in a nearby field around 10:30 a.m.
Sadly, despite their efforts, Ozzy could not be revived.
From Birmingham Streets to Global Stardom
Born John Michael Osbourne in 1948, Ozzy grew up in Birmingham and left school at 15.
After a brief stint in jail for burglary, he turned to music—and the rest is heavy metal history.
By 1970, Black Sabbath had exploded in popularity, first in the UK and then across the U.S.
He left the band in 1978 and divorced his first wife, Thelma Mayfair, with whom he had two children.
His battle with substance abuse played a major role in that split.
Sharon’s Role in Reinventing Ozzy
Ozzy found new life—both personally and professionally—with Sharon.
They married, had three children together, and she played a massive role in relaunching his career as a solo artist.
In the early 2000s, the Osbournes opened up their chaotic, hilarious home life to the world with their MTV reality show The Osbournes, winning over an entirely new generation of fans.
A Legacy That Stretches Across Generations
Ozzy leaves behind his wife Sharon and five children: Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack.
His influence stretches far beyond music—he became a pop culture icon, a reality TV star, and a symbol of wild, defiant resilience.
But perhaps what stands out most now is the quiet devotion between him and Sharon—one last shared triumph, pulled off with grit, love, and a throne fit for rock royalty.
