The Prince of Darkness has taken his final bow.
Ozzy Osbourne– rock legend and cultural icon has died, leaving behind not only a monumental body of work, but also a carefully orchestrated plan. While most of us don’t have a multi-million-dollar brand or legacy that spans decades, there are important lessons we can all learn from how Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne managed their affairs.
Estate Planning for Celebrities… and the Rest of Us
Long before his passing, Ozzy and his wife Sharon were outspoken about their desire to pass the “lions share” of their estate to their children. Sharon made it clear: Ozzy’s art, image and legacy– should remain in the family. Not plastered on cheap memorabilia sold by strangers who never knew him.
“I don’t want someone that never met my husband owning his name and likeness and selling T-shirts everywhere. No, it stays in the Osbourne family,” Sharon said on The Talk.
This line of reasoning isn’t just sentiment, it’s strategic planning.
For celebrities, image and likeness rights are valuable assets. Think: Elvis, Prince, or Whitney Huston–each a cautionary tale of how chaotic or profitable a legacy can become without clear planning. Ozzy’s estate plan from the outside, appears to include strong protections around his intellectual property, music royalties, brand licensing, and even NFTs. This positions the Osbourne legacy for long-term financial strength and family control.
The Osbourne Legacy Playbook: What They Did Right
Have a Detailed Estate Plan
1. Clear Beneficiary Designations: The Osbournes reportedly planned to leave their fortune behind to their children, not charities, managers or lawsuits waiting to happen. This avoids ambiguity and potential legal battles that may ensue.
2. Image and Likeness Rights: Ozzy’s brand isn’t just his music. It’s his voice, persona, and character. By ensuring their children will control his name and likeness, the Osbournes protected against exploitation while preserving equity in his brand.
3. Diversified Assets: From music royalties and licensing deals worth over $500 million a year, to real estate and even digital assets, the Osbourne estate was built to weather cultural shifts and economic changes.
4. Centralized Control: Sharon has always played a hands-on role in managing Ozzy’s brand. Estate planning is not a one-time act—it’s an ongoing process of protection, adaptation, and intentional decision-making.
What This Means for You
You don’t need to be a Rockstar to protect your family, business, or your legacy. Whether your assets include rental property in Miami, a small business, or just your family’s financial security–if you don’t have an estate plan, the state of Florida has one for you. You won’t like it.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself:
• Who would inherit your assets if you passed tomorrow?
• Who controls your intellectual property or digital footprint?
• Have you protected your children or spouse from future creditors?
• Do your loved ones know your wishes, and are they legally enforceable?
If you don’t have clear answers—or if your plan hasn’t been reviewed in the past few years—now’s the time.
Final Encore: Protect Your Legacy
Ozzy’s final act wasn’t a concert—it was setting his family up for success beyond his lifetime. That’s the kind of legacy worth headbanging to.
At Trust Counsel, our Miami-based estate planning attorneys help families of all sizes (and all stages of life) design smart, effective estate plans that protect what matters most— assets, autonomy, and peace of mind.
