Ozzy Osbourne had cheated on his loyal wife Sharon countless times during their 34 year marriage, but it was the legendary rocker’s affair with his hairstylist that almost tore them apart.
The Prince of Darkness apologised in 2016 when it emerged he had been having an illicit four-year fling with Michelle Pugh.
The Black Sabbath frontman brushed off the tryst with his younger lover, insisting there was no emotional connection and said ‘sorry if Ms Pugh took their sexual relationship out of context’.
In a statement released at the time by Ozzy’s spokesman, he also apologised ‘to the other women he has been having sexual relationships with’ as it was revealed he was having therapy for sex addiction.
The affair caused fissures within the Osbourne clan and drove Sharon to take an overdose, before being rescued by her housekeeper.
His daughter Kelly ended up settling a lawsuit with Ms Pugh after she launched into an online tirade soon after her father’s secret romance with the hairdresser became public.
The colorist, who styled the likes of Rihanna and worked on campaigns for Gucci, claimed Ozzy pursued her one year after she first colored his hair in late 2011.
Speaking exclusively to People in 2017 about their affair, she said: ‘He made me feel like the most beautiful and worshipped woman in the world.’
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Ozzy Osbourne had cheated on his loyal wife Sharon countless times during their 34 year marriage, Pictured together in January 2020 at the pre-Grammy Gala in LA
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Sharon, Kelly, Ozzy, Aimee and Jack Osbourne arrive at the 2000 Grammy Awards
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The Prince of Darkness apologised in 2016 when it emerged he had been having an illicit four-year fling with his hairdresser Michelle Pugh (pictured in June 2016)
Ms Pugh, who also claimed the notorious hellraiser had been ‘unhappy’ in his marriage, said life post-affair was a ‘struggle every day’.
She called the romance ‘the greatest love of my life’ and added: ‘I don’t regret anything. Love is never a mistake. Even when it’s messy and even when it hurts.’
Sharon and Ozzy married in 1982 and have three children – Aimee, 41, Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39.
Sharon was aware of Ozzy’s wandering eye, admitting to the Telegraph in 2017 that he had cheated on her with multiple women during their relationship, including ‘some Russian teenager, then a masseuse in England, our masseuse out here, and then our cook.’
But his affair with Ms Pugh pushed her to attempt suicide, something she admitted for the first time last year.
‘He always, always had groupies and I was so used to that,’ she told an audience in London as part of her show, Sharon Osbourne: Cut the Crap. ‘But when he knows the name of the person, where they live and where they work… it is a whole different thing as you are emotionally invested. I took I don’t know how many pills.
‘I just thought “My kids are older, they are fine and can take care of themselves”. So I took an overdose and locked myself in the bedroom. The maid tried to come in to clean the room and saw me.’
She later announced she had forgiven him, describing him as a ‘romantic fool’ during an appearance on The Talk in July 2016.
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The affair caused fissures within the Osbourne clan and drove Sharon to take an overdose who was rescued by her housekeeper
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Ms Pugh, who also claimed the notorious hellraiser had been ‘unhappy’ in his marriage, said life post-affair was a ‘struggle every day’
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Osbourne at the Moscow Music Peace Festival in 1989 at Luzhniki Stadium
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Osbourne recovered from his drink and drug problems with the help of his wife Sharon. Pictured: The pair at the Grammy Awards in January 2020
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Ozzy Osbourne pictured leaving hospital (left) on June 16, 2022, after a major back operation; Ozzy performing with Black Sabbath in 1978 (right)
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(L-R) Greta Van Sustren watches as Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne kiss at the White House Correspondents dinner May 4, 2002 in Washington
‘I forgive,’ she said. ‘It’s going take a long time to trust, but we’ve been together 36 years, 34 of marriage … I just can’t think of my life without him. Even though he is a dog. He’s a dirty dog. So there we are. He’s going to pay big.’
She added: ‘He feels that he owes everyone here an apology because he’s put us all through it. He’s very embarrassed and ashamed about his conduct.’
Ozzy also addressed his behavior in an interview with British GQ in 2020. ‘I’ve done some pretty outrageous things in my life,’ he said. ‘I regret cheating on my wife. I don’t do it anymore.
‘I got my reality check and I’m lucky she didn’t leave me. I’m not proud of that. I was pissed off with myself. But I broke her heart.’
Ozzy died yesterday ‘surrounded by love’ at the age of 76, a statement from his family said, weeks after he performed on stage with his original Black Sabbath bandmates.
The Osbourne family said in a statement: ‘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.
He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time. Sharon, Jack, Kelly, Aimee and Louis.’
Ozzy revealed earlier this year that he could no longer walk amid his years-long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
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Emotional Ozzy Osbourne said goodbye to fans at his ‘final encore’ just weeks before his death aged 76
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Ozzy was supported by rock legends, his wife Sharon and witnessed his daughter Kelly’s engagement
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Osbourne with daughters Kelly and Aimee, wife Sharon and son Jack in 2002 – the year that the family’s show The Osbournes began
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The rocker reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward for their first performance in their original line-up since 2005 (pictured that year)
However, he still managed to reunite with his bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward for their final gig earlier this month where he performed on stage while sat on a throne.
Amid his ailing health, Ozzy admitted he was unsure whether to perform standing up or sitting down following a series of spinal operations.
The singer was in strict training, which even saw his blood pressure being taken 15 times a day.
He explained: ‘I have got this trainer guy who helps people get back to normal. It’s hard going, but he’s convinced that he can pull it off for me. I’m giving it everything I’ve got.
‘It’s endurance. The first thing that goes when you’re laid up is your stamina.
‘I am having my blood pressure taken 15 times a day.. I’ve got this f***ing device on my finger. It’s a monitor to say how my heart rate is.’