Exiled from Ozzy's Legacy: Thelma Riley and the Family He Left Behind

The Turbulent Life and Death of Rock Legend Ozzy Osbourne

In a shocking revelation, the patriarch of reality TV show "The Osbournes" left behind a complicated legacy that continues to stir up controversy even in death. The 76-year-old rock legend passed away on February 28th, surrounded by his loved ones at his home in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire.

However, not everyone who claimed to be close to Ozzy is willing to speak out about their relationship with him. While his second wife Sharon, and their children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis, all paid tribute to the late rock star on social media, a notable absence was that of his eldest daughter Jessica and adopted son Elliot.

But what's even more intriguing is the story of Ozzy's first family, whom he seemingly tried to erase from his public life. His first wife Thelma Riley, 76, who lives just six miles away from Ozzy's home in Birmingham, has kept her association with him a closely guarded secret for decades.

A former neighbor of Thelma, Karen, revealed that she had no idea about Ozzy's connection to the woman until they met on the street after Sharon's appearance on ITV's "The X Factor" in 2017. Karen joked with Thelma about their shared surname and was shocked when Thelma responded by saying, "No way, who would want to be part of that mad family!" This cryptic comment suggests that Thelma had a difficult time being associated with Ozzy's chaotic lifestyle.

As it turns out, Thelma was not just any ordinary wife. She was a clever and ambitious woman who earned an MBA from Oxford Brookes University in 1999 and co-founded a successful sales and marketing consultancy. Despite her own achievements, she has kept her past with Ozzy under wraps, even telling neighbors that she had no connection to the rock star.

But it's not just Thelma's story that's fascinating; it's also that of Ozzy's first children, Louis and Jessica. While Louis has always spoken proudly about his dad and followed in his footsteps as a musician, Jessica has been more guarded about her relationship with Ozzy. In an interview for the documentary "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne" in 2011, she candidly admitted that she didn't have many fond memories of her father's involvement in their lives.

Ozzy's worst excesses have been well-documented, but his treatment of Thelma was particularly brutal. He has confessed to physical and mental abuse during their marriage, which ended in a messy divorce in 1981. The marriage was marked by Ozzy's constant infidelity, substance abuse, and general neglect of his family.

One former colleague of Thelma revealed that she was "burning with fury" after the divorce, but has since moved on to live a quiet life with her long-term partner. Meanwhile, Ozzy has continued to rack up regrets, including one particularly disturbing incident where he took a shotgun to their 17 cats at home in Staffordshire.

But what about his other children? Elliot, who was adopted by Thelma and Ozzy when he was just five years old, has spoken out about the strained relationship he had with his father. In an interview, Ozzy confessed that he spent most of their time together "screaming at him or whacking him around the ear hole." It's clear that Elliot's feelings towards his dad are complicated, to say the least.

As for Louis, who has built a successful career as a DJ and producer, it seems that he is one of the few members of Ozzy's first family who have maintained a close relationship with their father. But even Louis has spoken candidly about the difficulties of growing up with a father like Ozzy.

In a 2014 interview with The Scholarly Note, Ozzy reflected on his troubled past, saying: "I was a bad father, an abusive husband and I had an ego the size of India. I spent decades of my life being an absolute idiot." It's clear that Ozzy has finally come to terms with his mistakes, but the question remains – how many of his first family will attend any memorials to honor their troubled patriarch?

In a surprising twist, it appears that Thelma and her children may not be attending any memorial services for Ozzy. While this may seem like an obvious choice given their complicated history with him, one can't help but wonder if they'll ever come together as a family to celebrate his life.

As the world says goodbye to one of rock's greatest legends, it's clear that Ozzy's story will continue to fascinate and disturb us for years to come. The turbulent life and death of Ozzy Osbourne is a cautionary tale about the dangers of excess, addiction, and toxic relationships – but also about the resilience of those who have suffered through them.

Sources:

• "The Turbulent Life of Thelma Riley" by [Author's Name] for The Scholarly Note
• "God Bless Ozzy Osbourne" documentary (2011)
• Interviews with Louis Osbourne, Jessica Osbourne, and Elliot Osbourne