Additional Coverage:
- Sharon Osbourne rushed to hospital, misses Ozzy Osbourne tribute ahead of Father’s Day (themirror.com)
Sharon Osbourne was recently hospitalized, causing her to miss the unveiling of a special tribute to her late husband, rock icon Ozzy Osbourne. The 73-year-old TV personality shared the news after being noticeably absent from Hellfest in France, where a striking 20-foot statue honoring Ozzy was revealed earlier this week.
Fans had expected Sharon to attend the ceremony, but she explained that an unexpected health issue required a hospital visit, preventing her from traveling. In a heartfelt social media post, she wrote, “I’m sorry I couldn’t be at Hellfest for the unveiling of Ozzy’s statue.
Unfortunately, I had an unexpected trip to the hospital earlier in the week.” She also expressed gratitude to those involved in the tribute, including Olivier Garnier, Ben Barbaud, and artist Philippe Pasqua, who created the stunning statue.
The details of Sharon’s hospital stay remain private, and she has yet to provide further updates on her condition.
The tribute comes almost a year after Ozzy’s passing last July at age 76, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. This Father’s Day will mark the first without him for his six children.
Known as the “Prince of Darkness,” Ozzy’s influence on rock music spanned over five decades, both as frontman of Black Sabbath and as a solo artist. His final performance took place just weeks before his death, at the “Back to the Beginning” concert in Birmingham.
In his last BBC interview, Ozzy shared the emotional difficulty of his farewell show, saying he struggled to sing through the overwhelming feelings, and found it tough to remain seated on stage for nine songs. Despite the challenges, he reflected on the experience as a meaningful way to conclude his career.
The Hellfest statue, created by French artist Philippe Pasqua and inspired by a photograph by Dave Hogan, captures Ozzy’s iconic look-his signature glasses, jewelry, and wide grin, with outstretched hands-standing tall at 20 feet. The festival’s organizers honored Ozzy’s profound impact on generations of musicians and fans alike.
Since Ozzy’s passing, Sharon has been navigating life’s changes, including listing the couple’s Los Angeles mansion for around $17 million, with plans to move into a smaller apartment. She still owns their family home in Buckinghamshire, where Ozzy was laid to rest. Earlier this year, Sharon reflected on Ozzy’s final performance, a poignant reunion with Black Sabbath in Birmingham that raised millions for charities including Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorns Children’s Hospice.
As Sharon continues to heal and adjust, the memorial statue stands as a powerful testament to Ozzy Osbourne’s enduring legacy in rock history.