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British singer and songwriter Ozzy Osbourne goes face-to-face with his British manager and wife, Sharon Osbourne, his hands on her shoulders at an event© Vinnie Zuffante

Long lasting

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s 43-year love story: From chaos to lasting devotion [Photos]

A turbulent yet unbreakable bond: Inside the highs, lows, and legacy of Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne’s decades-long marriage


JULY 31, 2025 5:03 PM EDT

Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne first met in 1970 and married in 1982, launching a rollercoaster relationship that would span over four decades. Despite infidelity, addiction, and periods of separation, the Black Sabbath frontman and his longtime partner ultimately remained devoted to one another until his passing on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76.

Ozzy Osbourne and wife Sharon Osbourne circa 1985 © Dave Hogan
Ozzy Osbourne and wife Sharon Osbourne circa 1985

The couple got hitched in 1982.The Black Sabbath frontman and his former manager, 72, experienced marital ups and downs, with Ozzy having cheated on his loyal wife multiple times during their 34-year marriage.

Despite his four-year affair with his hairstylist Michelle Pugh being revealed in 2016, an infidelity for which “The Prince of Darkness” publicly apologized, the couple deeply loved each other and stood by one another through it all.

In 1970, an 18-year-old Sharon first met the 22-year-old rocker, born John Osbourne, while working as a receptionist for her father, Don Arden, who was then managing Black Sabbath.

Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne© Ron Galella
Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne

Ozzy revealed in his 2010 autobiography, I Am Ozzy, that one of the perks of choosing Don as his manager was getting to see Sharon frequently, though their relationship at the time was purely professional.

In 1971, Ozzy met teacher Thelma Riley at Birmingham’s Rum Runner nightclub, and the pair married later that year. They welcomed two children: Jessica and Louis, now 50. Ozzy also adopted Elliot, 59, Thelma’s son from a previous relationship. Ozzy later admitted that he was far from the ideal husband or father during this time, attributing the instability to his rise to fame, alcohol, and substance abuse. In his memoir, he even called the marriage “a terrible mistake.”

A portrait of Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath being interviewed in 1975 in London. © Ian Dickson
A portrait of Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath being interviewed in 1975 in London.

In 1979, Ozzy was kicked out of Black Sabbath, which was then comprised of Tony Iommi, Bill Ward, Geezer Butler, and Ozzy himself, due to his escalating drug and alcohol problems. He spiraled for months, living in a hotel and continuing to use substances until Sharon intervened and helped him turn his life around.

Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne in Brazil, 1985 © Dave Hogan
Ozzy Osbourne and Sharon Osbourne in Brazil, 1985

She became his manager and urged him to go solo. In 1980, he released his debut single, “Crazy Train,” which reached number nine on the Billboard Top Tracks chart.

On July 4, 1982, Ozzy and Sharon tied the knot in Hawaii, just months after his divorce from Thelma was finalized.

Black Sabbath lead singer Ozzy Osbourne pictured with his wife Sharon in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil during the Rock In Rio Festival in which his band participated. January 1985.© Mirrorpix
Black Sabbath lead singer Ozzy Osbourne pictured with his wife Sharon in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil during the Rock In Rio Festival in which his band participated. January 1985.

The couple went on to have three children: Aimee, born September 2, 1983, in London; Kelly, born October 27, 1984, in Westminster; and Jack, born November 8, 1985, in St. John’s Wood.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne with their screaming children l-r: Aimee aged 2, Kelly 1 and newborn baby Jack November 1985. © Mirrorpix
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne with their screaming children l-r: Aimee aged 2, Kelly 1 and newborn baby Jack November 1985.

In April 2013, Ozzy shut down divorce rumors after relapsing. He shared a candid message on Facebook, “For the last year and a half, I have been drinking and taking drugs. I was in a very dark place and was an a****** to the people I love most, my family."

"However, I am happy to say that I am now 44 days sober. I’m just trying to be a better person."

(FILE PHOTO) Rock singer Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon, 1987. © Dave Hogan
(FILE PHOTO) Rock singer Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon, 1987.

"I would like to apologize to Sharon, my family, my friends, and my band mates for my insane behavior during this period ... and my fans. God Bless, Ozzy.”

In May 2016, Ozzy and Sharon briefly separated after news broke of his affair with Michelle Pugh. But by June, the rocker told Good Morning America that they were “back on track again.”

Sharon later said on CBS’s The Talk that she had forgiven him, adding that she couldn’t “think of my life without him.” 

Sharon Osbourne & Ozzy Osbourne during Hollywood Premiere of "Little Nicky" at Mann Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, United States© Steve Granitz
Sharon Osbourne & Ozzy Osbourne during Hollywood Premiere of "Little Nicky" at Mann Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California, United States

The couple officially reconciled in September 2016.

On Mother’s Day 2017, the pair renewed their vows in Las Vegas, an event Ozzy described as their “real wedding day.”  They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on July 4, 2022, in their suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne backstage at MTV's TRL© KMazur
Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne backstage at MTV's TRL

Just over two weeks after celebrating 43 years of marriage, Ozzy Osbourne died peacefully at their Buckinghamshire, England. He was at  his home, surrounded by family, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.

Sharon Osbourne and Singer Ozzy Osbourne during an interview with host Jay Leno © NBC
Sharon Osbourne and Singer Ozzy Osbourne during an interview with host Jay Leno

His family announced his passing with a statement that said, “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."

"He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family's privacy at this time.”

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