Sharon Osbourne's Heartfelt Tributes to Ozzy: A Journey Through Love and Legacy
SHOCKING TRIBUTES: Sharon Osbourne Leads Emotional Funeral Procession for Beloved Husband Ozzy
In a heart-wrenching display of grief, Sharon Osbourne, 72, led the funeral procession for her late husband, rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, in their hometown of Birmingham on Wednesday. The city was awash with tributes as thousands of fans gathered to pay their respects to the Prince of Darkness.
The cortege traveled through the streets of Birmingham, passing by the star's childhood home, where flowers and a picture of Ozzy adorned the front bay window. Sharon, accompanied by their five children – Jack, Kelly, Aimee, Louis, and Jessica – walked alongside the hearse, which was emblazoned with purple flowers spelling out 'Ozzy' in a poignant tribute.
As they made their way through the city centre, the crowd erupted into cheers and chants of "Ozzy! Ozzy!" as the rock legend's coffin passed by. Sharon and her children were seen comforting each other amidst their devastating grief, but the mum-of-five found solace in one special gesture – wearing Ozzy's wedding ring around her neck.
The gold ring, featuring a row of diamonds, was a subtle tribute to their 47-year marriage, which took place on July 4, 1982. The couple had renewed their vows just five years ago, and the ring has been a constant reminder of their love ever since.
Ozzy's children also paid heartfelt tributes to their beloved dad through their clothing choices. Kelly, 40, wore her late father's iconic sunglasses, while Jack, 39, sported a small silver cross pin on his tie – a nod to Ozzy's signature pendant. Louis, from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, donned a purple tie featuring a skull and crossbones, paying homage to his dad's rock 'n' roll style.
Aimee, 41, also joined in the tribute by pinning a bat brooch to her blazer – a reference to Ozzy's infamous moment when he bit the head off a bat live on stage. The gesture was a testament to their family's enduring love for the metal legend.
The funeral procession was led by a live brass band, Bostin' Brass, who performed haunting versions of Black Sabbath classics like "Iron Man" and "Paranoid." Thousands of fans lined the streets, singing along in tribute to Ozzy's memory. One fan described it as an "unforgettable experience," saying, "I'll never forget seeing Ozzy's hearse pass by with his family walking alongside."
The Lord Mayor of Birmingham, who recently awarded Ozzy and his Black Sabbath bandmates the freedom of the city, paid a heartfelt tribute to the rock legend. Describing him as a "working-class hero" who loved his city, he said: "Ozzy was just an ordinary guy, so caring and humble. He had working-class roots, and his love for Birmingham was evident everywhere he went."
In a poignant statement shared last Tuesday, Ozzy's family revealed that the rock legend died "surrounded by love," saying it was with "more sadness than mere words can convey" that they had to report his passing.
Ozzy took to the stage just three weeks prior to his death for his farewell concert at Villa Park stadium in Birmingham. He reunited with his original Black Sabbath bandmates – Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi, and Bill Ward – for the first time since 2005. The show, which saw over 42,000 fans pack into the venue, was an emotional goodbye to a legendary career.
The musician's final performance came just months after he had told of his plans to continue recording music despite retiring from live performances due to his battle with Parkinson's disease. Ozzy underwent seven surgeries in the past five years and had been battling Parkinson's since 2003.
As fans said their goodbyes, they left flowers, candles, and tributes at Villa Park, where Ozzy's farewell concert took place just weeks before his passing. The rock legend may be gone, but his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched with his music and generosity.
In a final tribute to the Prince of Darkness, fans held up signs reading "Birmingham Forever" – Ozzy's own slogan that summed up his enduring love for the city where it all began. As the funeral procession came to an end, Sharon Osbourne was seen brushing away tears as she led her family through the streets of Birmingham, surrounded by the sea of tributes and well-wishers.
The world will miss Ozzy, but the memories he left behind – in music, love, and laughter – will forever be etched in our hearts. Rest in peace, Prince of Darkness.
