The Black Sabbath singer was initially diagnosed with a mild form of the disease nearly two decades ago
Ozzy Osbourne has been battling a rare form of Parkinson’s Disease known as Parkin 2. In 2020, he disclosed to his fans that he had been diagnosed the previous year following a severe fall at his Los Angeles home, which also exacerbated a longstanding spinal injury and led to his 2019 tour being postponed and ultimately cancelled.
Contrary to some claims that his illness was due to his well-documented substance abuse in his earlier years, it was revealed that Ozzy’s condition is actually a genetic variant of the disease. David Dexter, deputy director of research at Parkinson’s UK, highlighted at the time: “Genetic forms of Parkinson’s account for approximately 8 per cent of individuals receiving a Parkinson’s diagnosis.”
Parkinson’s Disease has over 40 wide-ranging symptoms, as per the charity, from tremors and mental health issues to blood pressure changes. Those with Parkin 2 often experience these symptoms at an earlier age, which aligns with Ozzy’s medical history.
The well-known singer had previously been diagnosed with Parkinsonian Syndrome, a term for neurological disorders similar to but not specifically Parkinson’s disease. His condition had led fans to be concerned as his tremors became more noticeable at the time.
In a candid moment with the Guardian back in 2007, the singer opened up about life after achieving sobriety and the complexities of his medication. He said: “It’s hard to keep up with them – you end up going crazy!”
Despite battling numerous health issues at the time, by 2023, the star was not letting his Parkinson’s diagnosis dampen his spirits or his future prospects. In a Rolling Stone interview, he made a striking revelation that he believes he has “at best 10 years left” but refused to attribute this estimate to Parkinson’s.
He voiced his annoyance at how his condition was sensationalised in the media: “They’re saying things like ‘Ozzy is fighting his last battle’. He’s sung his last ‘Paranoid’. You know, I don’t even think about Parkinson’s that much.”
After multiple tour cancellations due to his health, the rocker still held out hope of returning to the stage, insisting: “If I can perform again, I will.” His determination paid off, with Black Sabbath surprising fans with news of a reunion set for July.
