Sharon Osbourne Reveals the ‘Biggest Mistake’ She Made with Husband Ozzy in Interview Filmed Before His Death

Sharon Osbourne has candidly revealed what she considers the “biggest mistake” she made with her late husband, rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, in an interview recorded just weeks before his death.

The Black Sabbath frontman — affectionately known as the “Prince of Darkness” — died last month at the age of 76, less than three weeks after delivering his final live performance.

Speaking in February on The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan, Sharon reflected on her decades managing Ozzy’s solo career, which began in 1979, and on the highs and lows of their life together.

“Do you want to know the biggest mistake I ever made with Ozzy? I have several billion — we could be here all night,” she joked to host and Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan.
“But he was offered the chance to read for Pirates of the Caribbean. I’ve never said this to anyone.”

When Corgan asked if she had turned it down, Sharon confirmed: “I said no. But wouldn’t he have been perfect? Johnny Depp wanted Keith Richards to be a pirate, remember?”

Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards went on to play Captain Teague, the father of Depp’s Jack Sparrow, in Dead Man’s Chest and At World’s End.

Ozzy’s Heartfelt Farewell

The revelation came shortly after Sharon had shared Ozzy’s touching final words about his fans following his farewell Black Sabbath concert. Speaking to Pollstar just five days before his death, she described the event as a “huge success” and a fitting end to his long career.

“It was the first time anyone has gone into retirement with a streamed concert for charity,” she said. “It was the perfect way to end it — I never wanted Ozzy to just disappear without a big event.”

Ozzy, she revealed, had been moved by the crowd’s response that night. “He turned to me and said, ‘I had no idea that so many people liked me.’”

The farewell concert, Back to the Beginning, took place at Villa Park in his native Birmingham and reunited Ozzy with his original Black Sabbath bandmates for the first time since 2005. More than 42,000 fans attended, with proceeds supporting Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Acorns Children’s Hospice.

“You’ve no idea how I feel — thank you from the bottom of my heart,” Ozzy told the crowd in his closing speech. A message on the big screen read: “Thank you for everything, you guys are f***ing amazing. Birmingham Forever,” followed by a fireworks display.

Health Struggles and Final Years

Ozzy had been battling Parkinson’s disease since 2003 and underwent seven surgeries in the past five years, including a fourth spinal operation in 2023. Although he hoped to continue recording music after retiring from live shows, he died before being able to fulfil that wish.

His final solo album, Patient Number 9 (2022), featured collaborations with Tony Iommi, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Zakk Wylde and Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready.

A City in Mourning

Birmingham turned out in force to honour the music icon during his funeral procession last month. The cortege, led by brass ensemble Bostin’ Brass performing Black Sabbath classics such as Iron Man, passed his childhood home in Lodge Road, Aston, and continued through the city centre to Black Sabbath Bridge.

Fans lined the route, many chanting “Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy” as the hearse — adorned with purple flowers spelling out his name — passed by. Sharon walked at the head of the procession alongside her children Jack, Aimee and Kelly, and Ozzy’s son Louis from his first marriage.

Birmingham’s Lord Mayor described Ozzy as a “working-class hero” who never forgot his roots. “He loved his fans, he loved his city, and he always promoted Birmingham wherever he went,” he said. “His slogan was ‘Birmingham Forever’ — it was a last hurrah for him today.”

Legacy and Family

Ozzy and his Black Sabbath bandmates — Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward — were recently awarded the Freedom of the City of Birmingham for their contributions to music and culture.

Ozzy is survived by Sharon and his five children: Jessica, Louis, Aimee, Kelly and Jack. In a family statement, they said he died “surrounded by love”, adding:
“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning.”