Death of Ozzy Osbourne: Sisters remember the metal legend

The death of Metal legend Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025) at the age of 76 announced his closest family-wife Sharon and the children Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis. Two of his still living sisters, Jean Powell (85) and Gillian Hemming (80) ,. The late musician, with a bourgeois name John Michael Osbourne, always remained “John” for her. After the news of death, they spent wake up all night – and used to remind her beloved brother.

Osbourne had seen them one last time at his last appearance with Black Sabbath in Birmingham at the beginning of the month. “It was shocking because he could no longer stand upright, but he was still our John and was still joking,” they remember this meeting.

Osbourne reported to you “every week” by phone or by message, “to ask how we are all and what’s going on”. Now Jean and Gillian cannot believe that they should never hear from him again.

Before his death, the metal legend had “still plans”. “He was weak, but it was still a shock,” said the sisters. At the last encounter, he explained to them: “I can’t wait to come back.” The sisters therefore hoped to “see him this week”.

“He had a fantastic life and a wonderful family with Sharon and the dear children,” they look back on his life. His two sisters – the family consisted of six siblings, three of whom are still alive – made Osbourne “constantly laughing”.

“We were incredibly proud of him and everything he achieved. But it never got his head. What the public saw from John was exactly what he was in real life. It was not a show,” said Sister Gillian.