Honorary Director At NASCAR Race Ozzy Osbourne’s Turbulent Marriage To Thelma Ended In Divorce Due To His Addiction

Osbourne’s life was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, from his rise as a rock icon to his personal battles with addiction and infidelity.

July 23, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on July 23, 2026

Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic rock star and former honorary NASCAR race director, passed away on July 22, 2026, at the age of 76, leaving a lasting legacy.

Osbourne, known for his wild performances with Black Sabbath and his larger-than-life personality, had a personal life, particularly his marriages, that was just as beautiful.

Ozzy Osbourne’s Divorce often brings up stories of his relationships with his two wives, Thelma Riley and Sharon Osbourne, marked by love, heartbreak, and redemption.

Before The World Knew Ozzy And Sharon As A Power Couple, There Was Thelma Riley

Ozzy met Thelma one fateful night while out with friends at a club.

In his memoir, I Am Ozzy, he recalled,

That spark led to a whirlwind romance, and in 1971, the couple tied the knot in a simple registry office ceremony.

Soon, their family grew. Their daughter, Jessica, was born in 1972, followed by their son, Louis, in 1975.

Ozzy also embraced Thelma’s son, Elliot, from a previous relationship, adopting him as his own.

Ozzy’s first wife, Thelma Riley, and her three children (Source: )

For a while, it seemed like Ozzy had found stability.

But life on the road with Black Sabbath, combined with his struggles with alcohol and drugs, began to strain their marriage.

The couple’s 11-year marriage was far from smooth. Ozzy’s frequent absences while touring and his substance abuse took a heavy toll.

His children later shared that he wasn’t always the father they needed, often being absent or distracted by his rock star lifestyle.

By 1982, the cracks in their relationship became too deep to repair, and Ozzy and Thelma divorced.

Reminiscing on this time in his memoir, Ozzy admitted that his addiction and behavior played a significant role in their tumultuous relationship and eventual split.

In The Same Year As His Divorce From Thelma, Ozzy Married His Love And Manager, Sharon Arden

Sharon, an English-American television personality, music manager, and author, brought a new dynamic to Ozzy’s life.

Ozzy and Sharon with their three children (Source: )

Together, they welcomed three children: Aimee in 1983, Kelly in 1984, and Jack in 1985.

To the outside world, they seemed like the perfect rock-and-roll family, but their relationship faced its own storms.

Sharon was Ozzy’s rock, guiding his career and standing by him through his battles with addiction.

However, their marriage wasn’t without challenges.

In 2013, rumors swirled that Ozzy and Sharon were on the brink of divorce after Ozzy relapsed into drinking and drug use.

Addressing the speculation, Ozzy took to Facebook to set the record straight:

Ozzy’s honesty and commitment to sincerity helped mend their bond, but more challenges lay ahead.

In 2016, rumors of infidelity surfaced, and the couple briefly separated.

Reports emerged that Ozzy had a four-year affair with his former hairstylist, Michelle Pugh, starting in 2012.

Michelle later confirmed to PEOPLE that she had fallen in love with Ozzy, who had pursued her despite being married.

The news hit Sharon hard. During an episode of The Talk, she opened up about the pain of betrayal but chose forgiveness:

Ozzy, seeking help, entered intensive therapy for sex addiction and issued a public apology for his actions, including relationships with other women.

Ozzy’s mistakes weighed heavily on him.

In a 2026 interview with British GQ, he recalled,

His guilt was apparent, and he worked hard to rebuild trust with Sharon.

In 2017, Ozzy and Sharon renewed their vows in a heartfelt ceremony in Las Vegas, a testament to their enduring love.

Sharon, who had forgiven Ozzy’s past infidelities, stood by him as his biggest supporter.

Their bond grew even stronger as they faced Ozzy’s health challenges together.

Ozzy Had Serious Health Problems In His Later Years

In 2018, he underwent hand surgery after a thumb infection, followed by a severe upper respiratory infection.

Between 2019 and 2026, he endured four spinal surgeries, the last in September 2026.

Additionally, Ozzy had been living with Parkinson’s disease, diagnosed in 2003, which affected his movement and daily life.

Through it all, Sharon remained his faithful partner.

In a 2026 interview with PEOPLE, Ozzy shared how his health struggles brought them closer:

Sharon was by his side until the very end, supporting him through his final days before his passing in July 2026.

Ozzy Osbourne’s life was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, from his rise as a rock icon to his personal battles with addiction and infidelity.

His marriages to Thelma Riley and Sharon Osbourne were marked by love, heartbreak, and, ultimately, redemption.

While Ozzy Osbourne’s Divorce may evoke stories of his split from Thelma or the near-collapse of his marriage to Sharon, it’s the couple’s resilience that truly defines their story.

Sharon’s forgiveness and Ozzy’s determination to change showed that even in the face of mistakes, love can endure.

Ozzy’s legacy lives on not just in his music but in the lessons of his life—owning up to flaws, seeking forgiveness, and cherishing those who stand by you.

As Sharon once said, she couldn’t imagine life without him, and together, they proved that love, though tested, can weather any storm.

In Case You Didn’t Know

• Sharon Osbourne met her future husband, Ozzy Osbourne, the vocalist of Black Sabbath, at the age of 18.
• The Osbournes is regarded as a pioneering reality show that focuses on celebrity family life.
• On 30 June 2026, Osbourne and Black Sabbath’s original members became Freemen of the City of Birmingham a week before their farewell concert.

• Check other Articles on

Reshma is a content editor recognized for her ability to create engaging digital content, ensure quality, and deliver stories that connect with audiences.

Related articles

May 12, 2026

May 12, 2026

May 8, 2026

May 7, 2026

Comments

LEAVE A REPLY

Comment: Please enter your comment! Name:* Please enter your name here Email:* You have entered an incorrect email address! Please enter your email address here

Δ

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam.

Share article

- May 12, 2026 Judy (Evans) Milby of Rockwall, Texas, passed away on Saturday at the age of 80. Milby was born on July 25, 1945, to her father,...

- May 12, 2026 Residents of Dromore, Co. Down, are calling for action after a deeply concerning incident at the local play park, where older children were reported...

- May 11, 2026 A video circulating on Facebook has sparked a heated debate among Bell Gardens residents after police were called on a group of kids riding...

- May 11, 2026 Mortimer Jordan High School athlete Aiden Doss has passed away. Aiden Doss was a baseball player from Morris, Alabama, who attended Mortimer Jordan High School....

- May 8, 2026 What was supposed to be a normal Saturday of youth football quickly became something no parent, coach, or child should ever have to witness....