Ozzy Osbourne reveals he has Parkinson's disease: 'It's been terribly challenging for us all'
Ozzy Osbourne has Parkinson’s disease.
The rock star and reality star, 71, opened up about his ongoing health issues, revealing for the first time that he was diagnosed with the nervous system disorder last February.
"It's PRKN 2," explained his wife and manager Sharon Osbourne on Tuesday’s Good Morning America. "There's so many different types of Parkinson's; it's not a death sentence by any stretch of the imagination, but it does affect certain nerves in your body. And it's like you have a good day, a good day and then a really bad day."
Ozzy said, "It's been terribly challenging for us all.”
Nicknamed the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy said he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s, which has no cure, last year. That whole year was a rough one for the singer, who soared to fame in Black Sabbath, because he also suffered a fall at home which required surgery and led to him postponing his world tour. Since then, there has been a lot of speculation about his health — which Sharon often addresses on The Talk — but he says he’s been recovering, mostly in seclusion, taking a “host of medications,” including Parkinson's medication and pills for nerve pain.
"I got a numbness down this arm for the surgery, my legs keep going cold," Ozzy explained. "I don't know if that's the Parkinson's or what, you know, but that's? see, that's the problem. Because they cut nerves when they did the surgery. I'd never heard of nerve pain, and it's a weird feeling."
Ozzy has long been the subject of health rumors, including while on MTV’s The Osbournes with his family, including Kelly and Jack Osbourne. He also once publicly denied having Parkinson's — long before his diagnosis.
As for his decision to speak out now, he said, "I'm no good with secrets. I cannot walk around with it anymore 'cause it's like I'm running out of excuses, you know?"
Sharon said they will be seeking medical help outside the U.S., explaining, "We've kind of reached a point here in this country where we can't go any further because we've got all the answers we can get here. So in April, we're going to a professional in Switzerland, [[where] he deals with getting [his] immune system at its peak."
Ozzy said he felt “lucky” to be able to afford to do that. But he made it clear that as rumors have swirled about him over the last year, he’s not on his death bed. “Far from it,” said the singer, who is creating new music amid his health woes and can’t wait to get back to work.
Jack and Kelly were the ones who first realized that their father seemed to be having a health issue, and his official diagnosis made the bond between them all tighter. (Ozzy and Sharon also have a daughter, Aimee.)
Jack, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2012, said he now relates to his dad more than ever.
"I understand when you have something you don't want to have,” Jack said.
Social media has been full of praise for the rock icon sharing his story, and messages urging him to stay strong. Here are some of those posts:
I grew up soaking in every word of Black Sabbath’s and Ozzy Osbourne’s albums. This is incredibly brave and I wish him easy health and good days. Thank you, Prince of Darkness. https://t.co/hlXnZB1smx
— Eric Michael Garcia (@EricMGarcia) January 21, 2020
@OzzyOsbourne stay strong Prince of Darkness. And stay strong fam. You've overcome so much and I see you overcoming this. #GoodVibesOnly ??
— Chad Wilkerson (@PoToLGHOST) January 21, 2020
Thank you Ozzy for being brave enough to do this segment. ? https://t.co/Go19uVVKlG
— Imaginary GH Fan (@ChristnaHuffman) January 21, 2020
Very sad news about #OzzyOsbourne !
My Hero, my personal best Singer in Rock History!
I am so proud to to have been able to see Him live in concert in Bologna a few years ago!
Keep fighting Prince of Darkness! pic.twitter.com/qosfxg2SJw— Simone G. Banks (@SimoneGBanks3) January 21, 2020
Watched Ozzy Osborne #GMA interview, diagnosed with Parkinsons. I have Aunt (in-law) and Uncle with same affliction. He's got an uphill battle to maintain a normal life but can be done. There's different forms and different patterns to how it affects someone #OzzyStrong
— Greg Williams (@k4hsm) January 21, 2020
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