Ozzy Osbourne Once Defied Death — Even Doctors Couldn’t Explain Why originally appeared on Parade.
The music world mourns the loss of Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away at 76 on Tuesday, July 22, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The Black Sabbath frontman’s death marks the end of an era for heavy metal, but his final years were spent reflecting on a life that defied all odds — according to the rock legend himself.
Just ten years before his passing, Ozzy had opened up about the miracle of his survival. In a candid 2014 interview, the “Crazy Train” singer reflected on decades of self-destructive behavior that should have claimed his life long ago.
“It is insane. I should be dead,” he told theDaily Mail. “I don’t know why I’m not. Most of the people I used to get off my head with are dead. I’ve fallen down stairs, over stairs, over balconies.”
The “Prince of Darkness” had countless near-death experiences throughout his years. “I once jumped out of a hotel window thinking it was the ground floor, but I was two floors up,” he recalled.
“I landed in a rosebush. I didn’t even get a scratch. I didn’t think I’d see 40 let alone 60. There’s no reason on earth I should still be alive.”
Ozzy attributed his unlikely longevity to divine intervention, believing that “someone” was watching over him. His survival became such a curiosity that even medical professionals studied his genetics.
“I’ve even had doctors check out my blood cells [he underwent genome sequencing in 2010] to find out why the hell I haven’t managed to kill myself and whether I’ve got some special DNA. They came back with pages of reports… didn’t understand half of it but none of it said DEAD.”
While Ozzy questioned his own endurance, there was one thing he didn’t ponder — his regrets. “You haven’t got enough time. I have thousands. Thousands of them,” he said to the outlet.
His most painful regrets centered around the treatment of his wives Thelma Riley and Sharon Osbourne.
“I was a bad father, an abusive husband and I had an ego the size of India,” he recalled. “I spent decades of my life being an absolute idiot. I’ve got so many regrets I can’t even remember half of them. But wives and kids are right at the top. It’s pointless even saying sorry. I couldn’t say it enough times. All I can do is stay sober.”
Despite a troubled past, Ozzy’s later years reflected a man who had found redemption. After a legendary career that spanned over five decades, the singer passed away surrounded by his family and loved ones.
Related: Ozzy Osbourne’s Final Reported Photo Before His Death Is Heartbreaking
Ozzy Osbourne Once Defied Death — Even Doctors Couldn’t Explain Why first appeared on Parade on Jul 23, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
