Ozzy Osbourne's final wish before dying revealed

Before his passing at the age of 76, Ozzy Osbourne spoke candidly about how he hoped to be remembered, not as a rock god, but as a survivor.

The Black Sabbath frontman died “surrounded by love” on Tuesday, July 22, at his UK estate, his family confirmed in a statement. Known as the ‘Prince of Darkness,’ Osbourne helped forge the sound of heavy metal in 1968, leaving behind a legacy that reshaped music and culture across generations.

Though Ozzy Osbourne had battled Parkinson’s disease since 2019 and suffered ongoing spinal injuries, Ozzy made a powerful final appearance on July 5 at the “Back to the Beginning” benefit concert in his hometown of Birmingham. It marked his first performance with Black Sabbath’s original lineup in two decades and, poignantly, it would be his last. Seated on a throne, he performed with unmistakable resolve in front of thousands who sensed it was goodbye.

Just weeks later, fans across the globe are mourning his loss. But an old interview with PEOPLE from 2022 has resurfaced, offering comfort in his own words.

“Survival is my legacy,” Ozzy said. “I mean, I’m 73. People go, ‘Why don’t you throw in the towel?’ Why should I? People still want to buy my records. People still want to see me. That motivates me to get off my backside and do something.”

He was never interested in retiring quietly. “If my career had gone down the toilet and I knew it was the end, I’d be pretty miserable.”

As for his advice to others? “Never give up. If you’ve got a passion for something, you’ve got to find a way around it to carry on the passion.”

Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne. Credit: Shutterstock.

In an earlier interview with The Guardian in 2018, Ozzy was even more humble: “Just being remembered would be an achievement to me,” he said. “I come from Aston in Birmingham, y’know? I used to play on bombsites… There’s a guy living in the house I grew up in, and they charge people £200 to sleep in the bedroom I had as a kid.”

Following the singer’s passing, his family (including his wife Sharon Osbourne, and children Aimee, Kelly, and Jack) issued a statement: “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. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family’s privacy at this time.”

Ozzy is also survived by Jessica and Louis, his children from his first marriage to Thelma Riley, as well as several grandchildren.

The “Back to the Beginning” concert raised more than $190 million for Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn Children’s Hospice, an impact Ozzy was deeply proud of.

“You’ve no idea how I feel, thank you from the bottom of my heart,” he told the crowd that night.

From working-class Birmingham to global stardom, Ozzy Osbourne never stopped fighting. And in the end, that’s how he hoped to be remembered, not just as a legend, but as someone who refused to quit.