He shattered records with a popular song before he was ten. Behind the scenes, he endured personal struggles that would eventually leak out onto the stage. His life today is nothing like what fans recall.

He spent his youth in the public glare, bouncing between studios and stages across continents. As he got older, the attention brought scrutiny of his appearance, as well as pressure to keep performing. A medical incident during a theater show would finally bring his career to an end.

Since then, he has followed a different route, influenced by rehabilitation, family life, and new artistic pursuits. The journey there began decades ago, with a chart-topping debut that distinguished him even among his well-known siblings.

He was the youngest of nine children in a famous musical family. However, by the age of nine, he had established himself as a solo artist. In 1972, he became the youngest person to ever reach number one on the UK Singles Chart with the novelty pop tune “Long Haired Lover from Liverpool.”

The record, published under the moniker “Little” Jimmy, became a smash hit, confirming his position in musical history. His early popularity extended beyond the United Kingdom. In Japan, he had a dedicated fan base and was lovingly referred to as “Jimmy Boy.”

He followed up his debut single with further UK singles, such as “Tweedle Dee” and “I’m Gonna Knock on Your Door.” During this period, he continued to record and perform with his elder siblings, balancing his roles as a solo artist and a part of the family ensemble.

His early success coincided with a tough workload. As a youth performer, he did over 100 concerts per year, frequently moving between locations while still appearing on stage and television. He spent a lot of time playing in Las Vegas, where he grew accustomed to long-term commitments.

During these years, his eating habits mirrored his fast-paced lifestyle. He then admitted to frequently indulging in grilled cheese sandwiches, Monte Cristos, and orange freezes between shows. The consequences gradually became obvious.

He characterized himself as “always a little chubby” and admits that others made fun of him at times, especially at such a young age, which had a long-term impact on him. “It was hard on my self-esteem—and hard on my body as I got older and heavier,” he told me.

As he continued to act into adulthood, the physical toll of his formative years became apparent. In 2004, while performing live, he experienced a transient ischemic event, later diagnosed as a mini-stroke.

While on stage, he experienced a “pop” in his head and lost most of his eyesight, leaving only a little “pin” of vision. He originally thought he had a migraine and, despite the symptoms, drove himself home after the concert. It wasn’t until he had an echocardiography that physicians discovered the true cause.

He was diagnosed with a congenital heart condition known as a patent foramen ovale, which is a hole in the heart that did not seal correctly after birth. The deficiency caused a blood clot to enter his brain, resulting in the transient ischemic attack.

He had surgery at the University of Utah to resolve the problem. Although the surgery was effective, he continued to feel numbness and other symptoms for over 10 years. The encounter became a warning that he couldn’t ignore.

Following the operation, he started making long-term improvements to enhance his health. He once stated that it was tough for him to get out of a chair, but he wanted to be able to kick a soccer ball with his children. Motivated by his family and beliefs, he progressively changed his lifestyle, eliminating bread, sugar, and dairy from his diet.

He also started taking nutritional supplements and reported shedding 36 pounds. He said that food used to be an emotional release for him, but he no longer thinks of it that way. He went on to say that he needed a bigger motivation than himself to make meaningful improvements. “I very much want to set the right example for my children,” according to him.

Although he had never loved gyms or strenuous workouts, he began walking on a daily basis. “Since I’ve lost weight, I have energy, and I’m moving more,” according to him. He also acknowledged being an “ice creamaholic,” stating he used to eat it every night but now just on occasion.

Along with his entertainment career, the singer amassed a substantial portfolio as a producer and entrepreneur. He worked as an executive producer on shows for major networks while serving as president of Osmond Entertainment. He also sponsored a number of live events, including large-scale concert tours and stage shows in Las Vegas.

He also owned and ran production studios and live performance venues for over 25 years. One of his significant investments was the Andy Williams Moon River Theater in Branson, Missouri, which served as a hub for his performances.

In Utah, he assumed further leadership responsibilities as chairman of the board for Osmond Real Estate and Development. He also volunteered with the Children’s Miracle Network and served on its Board of Trustees.

While on the board, he helped raise billions of dollars for children’s hospitals in the United States and Canada. Outside of business, he actively encouraged children’s reading, which he combined with his family work.

He also stayed active in television and musical theater. He played various parts in theatrical musicals and British pantomimes, frequently appearing in shows that became holiday traditions. His theater experience included performances in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

He had several memorable appearances on reality TV series. In 2005, he joined the cast of “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!,” which introduced him to a new generation of viewers. More than a decade later, in 2016, he appeared on “Celebrity MasterChef,” expanding his exposure on British television.

He also featured on a number of other television shows throughout the years, either rediscovering his musical roots or taking part in family-oriented specials. He suffered a stroke on December 27, 2018, while acting as Captain Hook in the Birmingham Hippodrome’s performance of “Peter Pan.”

His spokeswoman stated that after finishing the evening’s performance, they immediately transported him to the hospital for diagnosis. The incident took place in the midst of the busy pantomime season, and at the time, no further details about his condition were available.

His spokeswoman stated that he will be taking time off in the new year. Darren Day was called in to take up the post. Fiona Allan, Chief Executive of the Birmingham Hippodrome, praised him as an important member of the company, remarking that his performance had earned the praise of both staff and audiences.

“Everyone here at Birmingham Hippodrome has been deeply saddened to hear of Jimmy’s sudden illness,” she told me. “We all send Jimmy and his family our very best wishes for a speedy recovery.” Following the 2018 stroke, he retired from performance and left public life.

He began focusing on painting, which he returned to throughout his rehabilitation. In a video uploaded following his stroke, his wife, Michelle, publicly thanked all who had shown assistance, describing their family’s experience as a miracle.

She also thanked them for the prayers they had received and expressed appreciation on behalf of the entire family. According to his nephew, Nathan Osmond, he is now enjoying life as a family man. The story was told by Jimmy Osmond, the youngest member of the renowned Osmond family.

Outside of the spotlight, he and his wife Michelle had four children: Sophia, Zachary, Wyatt, and Bella. In a 2011 interview, he praised Sophia as calm and reliable, joking that she was such a lovely child that he had to push her to “go do something wrong.”

Zachary, whom he dubbed his “mini-me,” and Wyatt, a redhead like their grandma, were both noted as imaginative. Bella, the youngest, experienced medical issues like speech problems and seizures. Jimmy has publicly discussed his position as a parent, characterizing himself as a “soft touch.”

Michelle was responsible for maintaining structure and discipline in their family. They both made an effort to support each other in parenting decisions, and Jimmy stressed the need to apologize when he made errors. “I think they must see that Daddy’s not always perfect, but I’m trying my best,” he told me.

Even in retirement, Jimmy continues to get comments from followers who have followed him from infancy to adulthood. Posts and video appearances featuring him frequently elicit positive feedback, demonstrating the long-lasting relationship his audience has.

“You’re my idol,” a fan wrote. Another person said, “A very wonderful dude.” God be with you,” while one person commented, “You have made many hearts sing today ❤. You are always in our thoughts.” Though he no longer performs, the legacy of his work and the devotion of his followers will accompany him into retirement.