Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic rock star and former honorary NASCAR race director, passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76, leaving a lasting legacy.
Osbourne, known for his wild performances with Black Sabbath and his larger-than-life personality, had a personal life, particularly his marriages, that was just as beautiful.
Ozzy Osbourne’s Divorce often brings up stories of his relationships with his two wives, Thelma Riley and Sharon Osbourne, marked by love, heartbreak, and redemption.
Before The World Knew Ozzy And Sharon As A Power Couple, There Was Thelma Riley
Ozzy met Thelma one fateful night while out with friends at a club.
In his memoir, I Am Ozzy, he recalled,
“She was beautiful, and I wanted to talk to her. I pulled her onto the dance floor.”
Via People
That spark led to a whirlwind romance, and in 1971, the couple tied the knot in a simple registry office ceremony.
Soon, their family grew. Their daughter, Jessica, was born in 1972, followed by their son, Louis, in 1975.
Ozzy also embraced Thelma’s son, Elliot, from a previous relationship, adopting him as his own.
For a while, it seemed like Ozzy had found stability.
But life on the road with Black Sabbath, combined with his struggles with alcohol and drugs, began to strain their marriage.
The couple’s 11-year marriage was far from smooth. Ozzy’s frequent absences while touring and his substance abuse took a heavy toll.
His children later shared that he wasn’t always the father they needed, often being absent or distracted by his rock star lifestyle.
By 1982, the cracks in their relationship became too deep to repair, and Ozzy and Thelma divorced.
Reminiscing on this time in his memoir, Ozzy admitted that his addiction and behavior played a significant role in their tumultuous relationship and eventual split.
In The Same Year As His Divorce From Thelma, Ozzy Married His Love And Manager, Sharon Arden
Sharon, an English-American television personality, music manager, and author, brought a new dynamic to Ozzy’s life.
Together, they welcomed three children: Aimee in 1983, Kelly in 1984, and Jack in 1985.
To the outside world, they seemed like the perfect rock-and-roll family, but their relationship faced its own storms.
Sharon was Ozzy’s rock, guiding his career and standing by him through his battles with addiction.
However, their marriage wasn’t without challenges.
In 2013, rumors swirled that Ozzy and Sharon were on the brink of divorce after Ozzy relapsed into drinking and drug use.
Addressing the speculation, Ozzy took to Facebook to set the record straight:
Ozzy’s honesty and commitment to sincerity helped mend their bond, but more challenges lay ahead.
In 2016, rumors of infidelity surfaced, and the couple briefly separated.
Reports emerged that Ozzy had a four-year affair with his former hairstylist, Michelle Pugh, starting in 2012.
Michelle later confirmed to PEOPLE that she had fallen in love with Ozzy, who had pursued her despite being married.
The news hit Sharon hard. During an episode of The Talk, she opened up about the pain of betrayal but chose forgiveness:
“I can’t speak for him but for me but, yes, I forgive, It’s going to take a long time to trust but, you know, we’ve been together 36 years, 34 of marriage, and it’s more than half of my life and I just can’t think of my life without him.”
Via abcnews
Ozzy, seeking help, entered intensive therapy for sex addiction and issued a public apology for his actions, including relationships with other women.
Ozzy’s mistakes weighed heavily on him.
In a 2020 interview with British GQ, he recalled,
“I’ve done some pretty outrageous things in my life. I regret cheating on my wife. I don’t do it any more. I got my reality check and I’m lucky she didn’t leave me. I’m not proud of that. I was pissed off with myself. But I broke her heart.”
Via gq
His guilt was apparent, and he worked hard to rebuild trust with Sharon.
In 2017, Ozzy and Sharon renewed their vows in a heartfelt ceremony in Las Vegas, a testament to their enduring love.
Sharon, who had forgiven Ozzy’s past infidelities, stood by him as his biggest supporter.
Their bond grew even stronger as they faced Ozzy’s health challenges together.
Ozzy Had Serious Health Problems In His Later Years
In 2018, he underwent hand surgery after a thumb infection, followed by a severe upper respiratory infection.
Between 2019 and 2023, he endured four spinal surgeries, the last in September 2023.
Additionally, Ozzy had been living with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 2003, which affected his movement and daily life.
Through it all, Sharon remained his faithful partner.
In a 2022 interview with PEOPLE, Ozzy shared how his health struggles brought them closer:
“She has been the best, My whole family has been so good.”
Via People
Sharon was by his side until the very end, supporting him through his final days before his passing in July 2025.
Ozzy Osbourne’s life was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, from his rise as a rock icon to his personal battles with addiction and infidelity.
His marriages to Thelma Riley and Sharon Osbourne were marked by love, heartbreak, and, ultimately, redemption.
While Ozzy Osbourne’s Divorce may evoke stories of his split from Thelma or the near-collapse of his marriage to Sharon, it’s the couple’s resilience that truly defines their story.
Sharon’s forgiveness and Ozzy’s determination to change showed that even in the face of mistakes, love can endure.
Ozzy’s legacy lives on not just in his music but in the lessons of his life—owning up to flaws, seeking forgiveness, and cherishing those who stand by you.
As Sharon once said, she couldn’t imagine life without him, and together, they proved that love, though tested, can weather any storm.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Sharon Osbourne met her future husband, Ozzy Osbourne, the vocalist of Black Sabbath, at the age of 18.
- The Osbournes is regarded as a pioneering reality show that focuses on celebrity family life.
- On 30 June 2025, Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s original members became Freemen of the City of Birmingham a week before their farewell concert.
