In addition to being one of the biggest stars in the history of heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne is also a devoted father to six children. While the world is very familiar with his two youngest, Kelly and Jack, thanks to their starring roles on the ultra-popular reality show The Osbournes and their subsequent ventures into the entertainment industry, the other four have chosen to lead more private lives. Ozzy has shared warm, funny, and sometimes regretful memories about all six of his children in his 2009 autobiography, I Am Ozzy. Here’s a closer look at how each of them came into Osbourne’s life and the important lessons he learned through fatherhood.
Jessica Osbourne
Born: January 20, 1972. Jessica was born roughly five months after the release of Black Sabbath’s third album, Master of Reality, and eight months before the release of Vol. 4.
Ozzy recounts a harrowing story of Jessica’s birth in his autobiography. He was forced to drive his first wife, Thelma Riley, to the hospital under challenging circumstances—he was drunk, lacked a driver’s license, and didn’t know how to drive. He humorously reflects, “It’s a miracle I didn’t crash into the back of an ambulance, to be honest with you.” He managed to get Thelma to the maternity ward and chose Jessica’s middle name, Starshine, inspired by the clear winter night sky visible from the hospital window.
Jessica has mostly kept a low profile, making a brief phone appearance in the second season of The Osbournes to inform her father that he was a grandfather for the first time.
Elliot Kingsley
Born: 1966. Elliot was born about four years before the release of Black Sabbath’s self-titled debut album.
When Ozzy met Riley in 1971, she already had a five-year-old son, Elliot Kingsley, from a previous relationship. After marrying Thelma, Ozzy adopted Elliot but admits in his autobiography that he struggled to be a good father. “He was a good kid, but for some reason we never got on,” he confesses. “I spent the whole time when I was home screaming at him… To tell the truth, I must have been a horrendous stepdad.”
Elliot has maintained a low public profile, pursuing a career as a theater actor and remaining largely out of the spotlight.
Louis Osbourne
Born: 1975. Louis was born the same year Black Sabbath released their sixth album, Sabotage.
Ozzy and Thelma welcomed their third child amid serious relationship troubles. He expresses regret about the pain he caused Thelma in I Am Ozzy: “If there’s one thing I wish for in my life, it’s that I could take it all back.” However, he notes that his relationship with Louis and Jessica improved significantly after he quit drinking. “I see Jess and Louis all the time now,” he shared in 2009.
Louis attended Ozzy’s Back to the Beginning farewell concert and expressed his emotional experience on social media, calling it “everything we wanted it to be and more.” He also participated in his father’s funeral procession alongside his siblings.
Aimee Osbourne
Born: September 2, 1983. Aimee was born about a year and a half after her father faced significant trouble at the Alamo and two months before the release of his first post-Randy Rhoads solo album, Bark at the Moon.
After Ozzy and Thelma divorced in 1982, he married Sharon Levy, who later became his personal manager. The couple welcomed Aimee shortly after their marriage. “Aimee was a guiding light for us,” Ozzy reflects, noting that she arrived during a challenging time for the family.
Unlike her siblings, Aimee chose to avoid the reality television spotlight, moving out of the family home at 16. She has since pursued a music career, performing under the name ARO.
Kelly Osbourne
Born: October 27, 1984. Kelly was born nearly a year after the release of Bark at the Moon.
Ozzy instantly recognized Kelly as a spirited personality. “Kelly came out into the world, screaming — and she hasn’t stopped since,” he wrote in I Am Ozzy, adding that he has always felt protective of her. On The Osbournes, Kelly’s vibrant character made her a breakout star, leading to a recording career and later a role as a television host. In 2022, she welcomed her first child, Sidney, with her then-boyfriend Sid Wilson of Slipknot.
Ozzy humorously stole the spotlight during Wilson’s marriage proposal to Kelly, jokingly declaring, “Fuck off, you’re not marrying my daughter!”
Jack Osbourne
Born: November 8, 1985. Jack was born two months before the release of The Ultimate Sin.
Ozzy faced the challenge of fatherhood with Jack amid his hectic touring schedule. He humorously recalls the panic of trying to find Jack’s beloved comfort blanket, a yellow teddy bear named Baby. “I became obsessed with that fucking bear,” he confessed.
Jack has played a significant role in Ozzy’s life, even prompting him to get sober after years of addiction struggles. In 2012, Jack was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis but has managed his health effectively through a careful regimen. Like Kelly, he has turned his Osbourne fame into a successful career, hosting shows like The Osbournes Want to Believe.
Jack is also a father of four, welcoming his most recent child with his second wife, Aree Gearheart, in 2022.
Conclusion
Ozzy Osbourne’s journey as a father has been filled with both challenges and triumphs. Each of his children has forged their own path, and while some have embraced the spotlight, others have chosen to live more private lives. Through his experiences, Ozzy has learned valuable lessons about love, responsibility, and the importance of family, shaping his legacy not just as a rock icon but as a devoted father.
FAQs
How many children does Ozzy Osbourne have?
Ozzy Osbourne has six children: Jessica, Elliot, Louis, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack.
Which of Ozzy’s children appeared on The Osbournes?
Kelly and Jack Osbourne were the children who appeared on the reality show The Osbournes.
What is Aimee Osbourne’s stage name?
Aimee Osbourne performs music under the name ARO.
Did Ozzy Osbourne have any regrets about fatherhood?
Yes, in his autobiography, Ozzy reflects on his struggles as a father and expresses regret about his past behavior towards some of his children.
