Ozzy Osbourne Sheds Tears, Reveals Emotional Advice from His Late Mother: “That Stuck With Me Since I Was 10”
In a rare moment of raw vulnerability, rock legend Ozzy Osbourne has opened up about a deeply personal memory that brought him to tears during a recent interview. The Prince of Darkness, known for his wild antics and larger-than-life stage persona, revealed a poignant piece of advice given to him by his late mother, Lillian Osbourne, when he was just 10 years old—a message that has stayed with him throughout his tumultuous life.
The emotional revelation came during a private hospital visit, where Ozzy, now 76, is continuing to battle ongoing health issues, including complications from Parkinson’s disease and injuries related to his near-fatal ATV accident in 2003. In the quiet moments away from the cameras and the fans, the former Black Sabbath frontman found himself reflecting on his childhood in Aston, Birmingham—a time far removed from the fame and chaos that would later define his life.
With tears streaming down his face, Ozzy recalled a particular afternoon sitting in the kitchen of their modest two-bedroom council house. His mother, Lillian, a factory worker who held the family together with quiet strength, noticed young John Michael Osbourne—long before he became “Ozzy”—struggling with self-doubt and fear of failure.
“I was just a scrappy little kid then, always getting into trouble, always thinking I wasn’t good enough for anything,” Ozzy said, his voice breaking. “One day, I come home from school, and I’m sitting there with my head down. Mum asked me what was wrong, and I told her, ‘I’m scared I’ll never be anybody.’”
What came next is something that has echoed in Ozzy’s mind for over six decades.
“She knelt down right in front of me, held my face in her hands, and she said, ‘Johnny, no matter what happens in this life, don’t you ever let anyone tell you that you’re not good enough. You’ve got something special in you. It might not be the same as everyone else, but it’s yours. Use it, or you’ll regret it forever.’”
Ozzy paused during the interview, wiping his eyes. “That stuck with me since I was 10 years old. Every time I wanted to quit, every time I messed up—and God knows there were plenty of times—I’d hear her voice telling me not to give up on myself.”
For fans of Ozzy Osbourne, this side of the heavy metal icon is rarely seen. Known for his wild stage performances, biting the head off a bat, and his reality TV antics on The Osbournes, many forget that underneath the rock god persona lies a man shaped by hardship, poverty, and a deeply close relationship with his mother.
Lillian Osbourne passed away in 2001, shortly before Ozzy launched his successful MTV reality series. Her death devastated him. “Losing my mum was one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through,” Ozzy admitted. “She was my rock. Even when I was off the rails—drinking, doing drugs, getting arrested—she never stopped believing in me.”
Throughout his career, Ozzy has often spoken of his upbringing, but this recent memory, shared in the twilight of his life, has taken on a new weight as he faces the limitations of his health.
“I used to think I was bulletproof,” Ozzy said. “But now, I’m at the point where I look back at my life and realize how much I owe to her. All the fame, the tours, the albums—it all started because of that one moment in the kitchen when I was just a scared little boy.”
Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy’s wife of over 40 years, has publicly praised her husband’s resilience and credits Lillian for instilling in him the tenacity that made his career possible. “Ozzy’s mother was a strong woman. She saw the good in him before anyone else did, and she loved him unconditionally,” Sharon shared in a recent statement.
Ozzy’s children, including Jack and Kelly, have also said that their grandmother’s influence is still present in their father’s life today. “My dad talks about her all the time,” Kelly said in a podcast last year. “Even when he’s going through surgeries or struggling with his health, he always says, ‘My mum told me not to give up.’”
As Ozzy Osbourne faces the twilight of his career—having already stepped away from touring due to his fragile condition—this memory of his mother serves as both a comfort and a guiding light. Despite his reputation as the wild man of rock, beneath the tattoos, the dark eyeliner, and the on-stage madness, he remains a son who carries his mother’s words in his heart.
“She told me I had something special,” Ozzy whispered during the tearful moment. “I never knew what she meant at the time. But looking back now, maybe it wasn’t about being a rock star. Maybe it was about being myself—mistakes and all. And that’s what I’ve tried to do ever since.”
For millions of fans, Ozzy Osbourne will always be the Prince of Darkness. But for those who know his story, he’s also the boy from Aston who never forgot the love and wisdom of his mum.
And perhaps that, more than anything, is his true legacy.
