Ozzy Osbourne's Health Challenges Over The Years
Heavy-metal rocker and television celebrity Ozzy Osbourne made a personal announcement to fans this morning via Twitter that he described as, "one of the hardest things I've ever had to share with my loyal fans." In the announcement, the star stated that following several surgeries and subsequent treatments for a spinal injury he suffered four years ago, the musician will be bringing his touring career to an end.
"After three operations, stem cell treatments, endless physical therapy sessions, and most recently groundbreaking Cybernics (HAL) Treatment, my body is still physically weak," he tweeted. As a result, Osbourne says that the demands of performing and continuous travel are too much for his body to handle at this time.
This is not the first time that Osbourne has discussed retirement in relation to health issues. Roughly three decades ago, the 74-year-old singer's diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) prompted his "No More Tours" retirement tour, reports Variety. Having now formally confirmed his retirement, however, the star tweeted his gratitude to his fellow bandmates, crew, loved ones, and fans for their lifelong support, as he and his team work on alternative ways in which the musician can continue to perform without the demands of touring.
Ozzy's escalating health problems
According to The Guardian, Osbourne broke his neck in a bike accident in 2003. This neck injury would complicate his 2019 fall in his bathroom. He had surgery on his neck, where he had to have two metal plates fixed to his spine. The screws began to come loose, chipping away at his bone. The bone debris began pressing on his nerve, which gave him excruciating nerve pain. He would have another surgery in June 2022 to remove the plates.
Osborne revealed his Parkinson's diagnosis on Good Morning America in 2020 after rumors surfaced about his health. According to the Parkinson's Foundation, the neurodegenerative disease affects 10 million people worldwide. People with Parkinson's often have symptoms such as tremors, slow movements, stiff limbs, and problems walking. They can also suffer from depression, constipation, hallucinations, and sleep disorders. Osbourne told The Guardian that he battled depression until his daughter Kelly encouraged him to get help.
Ozzy credits his wife Sharon for getting through his health conditions, according to The Guardian. They're selling their California home to return to their Buckinghamshire home in England.