Ozzy Osbourne — the heavy metal rockstar turned reality television pioneer — died of a heart attack, his death certificate revealed, according to multiple reports.
The certificate filed in London also reportedly said that the Black Sabbath frontman, who was 76, suffered from coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease, as previously known. British tabloid The Sun was the first to report on the rock star’s cause of death, later reported by The New York Times.
Osbourne died on July 22 of “(a) Out of hospital cardiac arrest (b) Acute myocardial infarction (c) Coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease with autonomic dysfunction (Joint Causes),” the certificate reportedly states.
Osbourne had spoken publicly about his ailments in the last several years of his life, including his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
“I’m taking it one day at a time, and if I can perform again, I will,” the then 74-year-old singer said in a November 2023 interview with Rolling Stone magazine.
Osbourne told the magazine that he attributed some of his health issues to the vast amount of drugs and alcohol he took in his early career.
“I do count my lucky stars,” he said. “I don’t know why I’m still here and I do sometimes think I’m on borrowed time. I said to Sharon the other day, ‘What a great f—ing life we’ve had and what a great f—ing experience.'”
In the end, his health issues did not deter him from performing.
A little more than two weeks before his death, Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for what would be his final show — in Birmingham, England, the rock star’s hometown.
The concert drew a crowd of more than 45,000 to Birmingham’s Villa Park soccer stadium. An additional 5.8 million metalheads watched the concert online from around the world.
Osbourne, dubbed “The Prince of Darkness,” performed the show on a bat-themed, black leather throne. Osbourne’s wife, Sharon Osbourne, revealed in February that Ozzy was unable to walk because of Parkinson’s disease.
His death prompted an outpouring of grief from a motley crew of prominent figures, including pop icon Elton John, rock star Jack White and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Osbourne is credited as a pioneer who helped introduce the world to heavy metal music. Throughout his legendary career, he received five Grammy awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, first with Black Sabbath and again as a solo artist.
In the early 2000s, Osbourne re-introduced himself to the world, and particularly to a younger generation of fans, on MTV’s “The Osbournes.” The reality series centered on Osbourne, his wife and two of his four children, bringing the British rockstar into American pop culture in a brand new light.
Thousands of mourners lined the streets of Birmingham last week for a funeral procession to honor the rock legend.
