“He Was Just Papa”: Lisa Stelly’s Heartbreaking Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne Showcases His Tender Side
While the world mourns the loss of a rock and roll titan, Ozzy Osbourne, who has passed away at the age of 76, a deeply personal tribute has emerged that reminds us of the man behind the myth. It comes not from a fellow musician or a critic, but from someone who knew him in one of his most cherished roles: “Papa.”
Lisa Stelly, the former wife of Ozzy’s son Jack Osbourne and the mother of three of his beloved grandchildren, took to Instagram to share a moving farewell. Stelly, who was married to Jack from 2012 to 2019, gave the world an intimate glimpse into the private life of the legendary frontman. Together, she and Jack are parents to daughters Pearl, 13, Andy, 10, and Minnie, 7, who were clearly the light of their grandfather’s life.
Through a beautifully curated collection of photos and video clips, Stelly pulled back the curtain on the “Prince of Darkness.” What she revealed was not a figure of rebellion, but a doting, gentle, and utterly present grandfather. The images captured unguarded moments of pure family love: Ozzy holding a tiny granddaughter close on a private jet, lounging comfortably on a sofa surrounded by the joyful chaos of his grandkids, and carrying a giggling child on his shoulders. Other snapshots showed him simply enjoying a family meal, a quiet patriarch at the head of his loving clan.
The montage even included a charmingly funny clip of a house cat curiously exploring Ozzy as he rested, and a heartwarming video of him and his wife, Sharon, playing gleefully with one of the little ones. The entire tribute, shared via her Instagram Stories, was set to the hauntingly perfect soundtrack of Ozzy’s own 1995 ballad, “See You on the Other Side.” The caption was simple, yet it spoke volumes: “Love you, Papa.”
The Osbourne family confirmed Ozzy’s passing on July 22, stating that he was surrounded by his family in his final moments. In their statement, they expressed their profound grief and requested privacy as they navigate the immense loss of their beloved husband, father, and grandfather.
Beyond the screaming crowds and the platinum albums, Ozzy’s greatest legacy is undoubtedly his family. He and Sharon raised three children: Aimee, 41, Kelly, 40, and Jack, 39. He was also a father to Louis and Jessica from his first marriage to Thelma Riley and lovingly helped raise her son, Elliot Kingsley.
While the world got a front-row seat to their unique family dynamic on the iconic MTV reality show The Osbournes from 2002 to 2005, Lisa’s tribute reminds us that the most precious moments were the ones that happened away from the cameras. These were the moments of Ozzy painting at home, of him getting on the floor to play with his grandchildren, and of him showing a profound gentleness that belied his wild stage persona.
This sentiment was echoed by his son, Jack, just weeks before his father’s passing. Speaking at a special screening of the documentary The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne, Jack described his father with immense pride and love. “He’s funny, he’s unique, he’s powerful,” Jack told the audience. “His contribution to music is bigger than his faults. He is an incredible man.”
Jack also confirmed that his father’s incredible life story is set to become a biopic, with Sony backing the project and a script already complete. “We’re not pulling any punches,” he promised. “It’s going to be raw.”
As fans around the globe spin their favorite Black Sabbath and Ozzy records in remembrance, Lisa Stelly’s quiet, heartfelt tribute brings the larger-than-life icon back down to earth. She reminds us of the man who held his granddaughter’s hand on a flight, who found joy in the simple presence of his family, and who, to the most important people in his world, wasn’t a rock god at all.
He was just Papa. And he was so, so loved.