Ozzy and Sharon: A heavy metal love story marked by grace

On 22 July, surrounded by family Ozzy Osbourne, lead singer of the pioneering heavy metal band, Black Sabbath, passed away. Despite the dark tone of their style and music, Osbourne has been vocal through his career about identifying as a Christian. If we shall know them by their fruit, one aspect of Osbourne’s life that reveals the fruit of faith will be the strength of his family, foremostly, his marriage to wife, Sharon.

Far from remaining in the background like many celebrity households, the Osbourne family bond became perhaps more synonymous with the singer than his musical beginnings, especially in his life’s second act. MTV’s The Osbournes aired from 2002-2005, the most successful show on the network, highlighting the unusual patriarch and his life’s unique juxtaposition between fame and family.  

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Upon the success of their reality show, the world became aquainted with Sharon Osbourne.

Upon the success of their reality show, the world became aquainted with Sharon Osbourne. Not the likely idea of a heavy metal rock legend’s wife, she looked like a “normal mum”, in a gargantuan house, whose husband and children often frustrated her (with substantially more explatives). Our version of the Osbourne couple included kissing and canoodling to the disapproval of their teenagers, and Sharon’s managerial skills as she arranged Ozzy’s career and gave him supportive encouragement. Most, however, had no idea of the deep pit they’d overcome to get there.  

Sharon and Ozzy first met in the office of her father, then Black Sabbath’s manager, when she was 18.

Sharon and Ozzy first met in the office of her father, then Black Sabbath’s manager, when she was 18. Adamant there was no love at first sight, in an interview, Sharon described the band unattractively, as “odd, hairy” and “from the north of England”. When she saw the band perform, however, she realised the uniqueness and power of their stage presence.

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It wasn’t until years later, when Ozzy, then married with three children, was ejected from the band, that he and Sharon came together. She went on to manage Ozzy as a solo artist and they married in 1982, going on to have three of their own children. Ozzy’s prolific drug and alcohol abuse continued for years to be a considerable hardship in their marriage. He was hospitalised numerous times and during an especially dark period, Ozzy was arrested for Sharon’s attempted murder, which he later didn’t remember. An article on biography.com relays that Sharon strongly considered divorce as she debated the best plan for her and their children’s safety and future.  

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Many women experience and suffer through the pitfalls of marital disunity and violence

Many women experience and suffer through the pitfalls of marital disunity and violence and it should never be taken lightly. God does not desire any of his creation to be threatened or mistreated. Sharon made the choice to remain in her marriage and the couple went on to face other hurdles such as alledged infidelity, and an unacted upon divorce announcement in 2016. It’s fitting that their tidal wave to fame was by reality show. Ozzy and Sharon’s marriage and family was a snapshot of just that; real life, in all of its messiness, imperfection, dischord and new beginnings. For better or worse, that’s something to which most of us can relate.  

There is a poignant photo of Sharon backstage at Ozzy’s last performance, weeks before he died. She sits alone, pensive, emotions heavy. Ozzy’s last years were spent suffering with Parkinson’s disease and chronic pain, and now her life’s love and work near completion. After the performance, Ozzy said, “I owe everything to my wife. When I was lost in the dark she never left my side. She held my hand until I found my way back to the spotlight”. 

In pondering the details of their life, their 44 -year-marriage seems held together by sacrificial love, forgiveness and laughter. When asked individually what they loved most about each other, Sharon responded, his sense of humor and Ozzy answered, her wonderful laugh. We’ve witnessed Sharon Osbourne as the picture of a loyal wife, now transitioning into widowhood. Ozzy’s faith has one last kindness to share, God’s grace and kindness to widows. Let’s pray she receives it and that they will be reunited again.