Ozzy Osbourne’s Memories About His First Wife, Thelma Riley, Resurface

Ozzy met Thelma in 1971 at a nightclub in Birmingham, England. They married that same year. Together, they were blessed with two children: Jessica, now 53, and Louis, who is in his mid-40s.

The musician also adopted Elliot, a son Thelma had from a previous relationship. The couple eventually divorced in 1982 after a decade together. In his 2009 memoir “I Am Ozzy,” the entertainer offered a raw account of their years together. He recalled their first meeting, writing, “She was beautiful, and I wanted to talk to her.”

He described getting drunk to build the courage to approach her, a pattern that became emblematic of his life at the time. Their relationship developed quickly. After moving in together, they married at a registry office. But Ozzy later expressed deep regret over how he treated Riley. “I put that woman through hell,” he wrote.

He admitted to frequent infidelity, substance abuse, and emotional neglect. “I acted like a married bachelor,” he added, reflecting on the damage done. In his memoir, Ozzy did not shy away from the darker parts of his past. He described moments of violence and deep remorse, revealing the strain his lifestyle placed on his marriage with Thelma.

“If there’s one thing I wish for in my life, it’s that I could take it all back,” he wrote. The regret was tied not just to infidelity and neglect, but to abuse. Ozzy admitted to striking Riley during a drug- and alcohol-fueled episode, an act that left her with a black eye.

He recalled the shame of facing her father the next day, expecting confrontation but instead receiving a disturbing dismissal of the incident.

In his book, Ozzy revealed he traced some of his behavior to what he witnessed in childhood. He explained that his parents fought frequently, which may have shaped his early perceptions of relationships. But he emphasized, “There’s no excuse.”

He made clear that sobriety brought a painful clarity. “It wasn’t until I became sober that I truly realised how disgusting my behaviour was.” He also revealed the emotional turmoil of living a double life as his relationship with Sharon Osbourne — who would later become his second wife — intensified.

He described nights of overlapping visits, with Riley and Sharon unknowingly crossing paths. The situation took a toll on everyone involved, including Ozzy himself. “I was knackered all the time, having two women on the go,” he wrote, adding that the confusion once led him to accidentally call Sharon by a hybrid name, “Tharon.”

Despite everything, Ozzy said he resisted ending the marriage for one reason: the children. “I knew that if we got a divorce, it would be terrible for them,” he explained. “The thought of losing my family was unbearable to me.”

Ozzy and Sharon married in 1982, shortly after his separation from Thelma. Together, they had three children: Aimee, 41; Kelly, 40; and Jack, 39. His divorce from Thelma left a lasting emotional mark. Decades later, the pain resurfaced when his son Jack announced his own divorce.

In a 2019 interview, Sharon recalled the moment Jack shared the news. “When Jack said that he was getting divorced, Ozzy cried,” she said. “He said, ‘I’m crying for you because I know how painful it’s going to be, because I’ve been through it and I don’t want you to experience that pain.’”

The moment underscored how deeply Ozzy’s first marriage continued to affect him. It was not just a chapter in his past, but a source of reflection and concern for the future of his children.

Ozzy’s death follows his long and public battle with health complications. Though he had scaled back performances in recent years, his influence remained undiminished.

His final public appearance came during the Black Sabbath reunion on July 5 — an emotional farewell that brought together original members and metal icons for one last tribute to the band’s groundbreaking sound. For fans, it was a fitting close to a career that helped define an entire genre.

His family, who stood by him through decades of upheaval and recovery, expressed deep sorrow in announcing his passing.

“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning,” their statement read. “He was with his family and surrounded by love.” They asked the public to respect their privacy as they mourn the loss of a husband, father, and grandfather.

Ozzy’s impact stretched far beyond music. He became a cultural icon, known not only for his stage antics but for his raw honesty about addiction, family, and failure. His unfiltered personality made him a compelling figure, whether in the studio, on stage, or in front of reality TV cameras.

Though controversy followed him for much of his life, Ozzy’s openness in reflecting on his past — particularly the pain he caused and endured — resonated with many. As tributes pour in from around the world, Ozzy Osbourne leaves behind more than music. He leaves a legacy marked by authenticity and a voice that changed the sound of rock forever.