Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin: A Timeless Bond of Love and Friendship

Freddie Mercury’s former fiancée, Mary Austin, shared an exceptionally close friendship with him that endured right until his untimely death in 1991, showcasing the depth of their bond that surpassed romantic relationships.

Their paths first crossed in 1969, a pivotal year that preceded the official formation of the legendary rock band Queen. After several joyful years of dating, they became engaged in 1973; however, their engagement came to a sudden end three years later when Mercury opted to break it off, a decision that still resonates in the annals of music history, according to the New York Post.

As Mercury poignantly expressed in a 1985 interview, “All my lovers asked me why they couldn’t replace Mary, but it’s simply impossible. 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. We believe in each other, that’s enough for me.” His words encapsulated the extraordinary, unwavering affection that defined their unique relationship.

In a testament to their profound connection, Mercury bequeathed the majority of his vast fortune to Austin, alongside his luxurious Kensington mansion and all his cherished belongings, which she held onto for over three decades before finally parting with them in recent years.

Their enduring relationship was beautifully immortalized in the acclaimed 2018 biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, where Rami Malek portrayed Mercury and Lucy Boynton brought Austin’s character to life on the big screen.

Who is Mary Austin?

Mary Austin poses for a portrait on September 3, 1984.

Mirroring Mercury’s roots, who hailed from a modest background, Austin was also raised in a working-class family in Battersea, South London. Her upbringing was marked by challenges, as both her parents were deaf, communicating predominantly through sign language while her father earned a living as a wallpaper trimmer and her mother worked as a domestic helper, according to the Daily Mail.

Following their first meeting in 1969, Austin found herself entwined in Mercury’s life for over seven years until he bravely confided in her about his bisexuality, a moment that altered the dynamic of their relationship significantly.

How did Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin meet?

Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin at the Ivor Novello Awards in May 1987.

The serendipitous meeting between Austin and Mercury happened in 1969, when she was just 19 years old, at the vibrant clothing store Biba in Kensington, West London. In a revealing interview from the 2000 documentary Freddie Mercury: The Untold Story, Austin recounted the serendipitous moment.

At the time of their initial encounter, then-24-year-old Mercury, along with future Queen drummer Roger Taylor, was hustling at a clothing stall in Kensington Market, setting the stage for the remarkable connection that would unfold.

Even before Queen officially formed in 1970, Austin was captivated by Mercury’s distinctive presence. Describing him to the Daily Mail, she remarked, “He was a wild-looking artistic musician.”

“He was like no one I had met before. He was very confident – something I have never been,” she added. “We grew together. I liked him and it went on from there.” Through this mutual admiration, their romantic bond flourished, leading them to share an apartment on Holland Road in London, marking a significant milestone in their relationship.

What was Mary Austin’s relationship like with Freddie Mercury?

Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin at an after-party for Queen’s Wembley concerts on July 12, 1986 in London.

Although Mercury and Austin’s romantic relationship was relatively brief, their deep-rooted friendship endured for decades, evolving over time into a profound companionship.

Shortly after their relationship commenced, Mercury surprised Austin with a marriage proposal on Christmas Day in 1973. She later recounted to the Daily Mail that while they were undeniably happy, the proposal was entirely unexpected.

Austin vividly remembers the moment: “I looked at it and was speechless. I remember thinking, ‘I don’t understand what’s going on,’” adding humorously, “So I asked him, ‘Which hand should I put this on?’ And he said, ‘Ring finger, left hand.’” This moment epitomized the love and surprise felt in their young relationship.

In the years that followed, however, Mercury eventually decided to end their engagement along with their physical relationship. Austin began to notice troubling changes in Mercury’s behavior, leading her to suspect infidelity, but it wasn’t until Mercury openly shared his bisexuality that the pieces began to fall into place.

Reflecting on that revelation, Austin admitted, “It was a relief actually to hear it from him. I felt like a huge burden had been lifted. Once that had been discussed, he was like the person I’d known in the early years.”

Despite their romantic relationship coming to an end, they continued to maintain their closeness, sharing both physical proximity and emotional support in each other’s lives.

Over the years, Austin alternated living arrangements at Mercury’s Kensington mansion, affectionately nicknamed Garden Lodge, which he proudly purchased in 1980. They cohabitated in this home for a remarkable two decades leading up to his passing.

During his final days, Austin stayed by Mercury’s side in their shared Kensington home, providing support as he faced serious health complications due to his AIDS diagnosis—a condition he was diagnosed with four years earlier in 1987.

What happened to Mary Austin after Freddie Mercury’s death?

Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin during his 38th birthday party in September 1984 in London.

Following the tragic news of Mercury’s death at just 45 years old on November 22, 1991, Austin became the sole inheritor of his lavish home, treasured possessions, and a significant financial stake in Queen.

Mercury left a lasting legacy by bequeathing his expansive 28-room Kensington mansion to Austin, alongside all of the personal belongings inside, in addition to the lions’ share of his fortune.

Grappling with the weight of responsibility that came with his estate, Austin expressed feelings of being overwhelmed by the house and financial legacy left behind. “I found myself thinking, ‘Oh Freddie, you’ve left me too much and too much to deal with as well.’ I felt I couldn’t live up to it,” she recounted.

Despite facing numerous challenges, Austin persisted in living in Mercury’s iconic mansion for over 30 years until she made the momentous decision to put the house on the market in February 2024.

What did Mary Austin do with Freddie Mercury’s home and possessions?

Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin at the Ivor Novello Music Awards on April 15, 1987 in London, England.

Following Mercury’s demise, Austin chose to remain in their shared Kensington mansion, a sanctuary filled with mementos that evoked cherished memories of the beloved singer.

When February 2024 arrived, Austin took the bold step to list the property for sale, inviting offers “in excess of” 30 million pounds (approximately $38 million) as she sought to find a new caretaker for the home.

In a heartfelt statement shared with PEOPLE, Austin articulated her feelings about the mansion, describing it as “the most glorious memory box” brimming with “love and warmth in every room” — emphasizing that the home remained largely unchanged since Mercury’s passing.

“It has been a joy to live in and I have many wonderful memories here,” she reflected, describing it as a haven of peace, stating, “Ever since Freddie and I stepped through the fabled green door, it has been a place of peace, a true artist’s house, and now is the time to entrust that sense of peace to the next person.”

Austin also decided to auction the majority of Mercury’s possessions in 2023, preserving only a few “personal gifts” and photographs of their time together.

The Sotheby’s auction featured a staggering 1,400 items belonging to the superstar, among them a Yamaha grand piano and a silver Tiffany & Co. mustache comb that fetched $189,000. Before the auction, these possessions were displayed in an extensive month-long exhibition titled “Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own,” culminating in a spectacular six days of bidding.

In a statement from Sotheby’s, Austin elaborated on her motive behind selling Mercury’s treasured items, stating, “I hope this will be an opportunity to share all the many facets of Freddie, both public and private, and for the world to understand more about, and celebrate, his unique and beautiful spirit.”

Where is Mary Austin now?

Mary Austin attends the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Charity Dinner at The Grosvenor House Hotel on November 5, 2002 in London.

Throughout the years, Austin has sought to maintain a relatively private existence, staying largely out of the public eye.

She is a devoted mother of two adult sons, who also eschew the limelight, having welcomed them with her former husband, artist Piers Cameron, in the early 1990s. Austin later experienced a brief marriage to businessman Nick Holford, which ended in divorce.

In various interviews following Mercury’s passing, Austin has candidly reflected on her lasting nostalgia for him. “I miss the fun, the humor, his warmth, his energy,” she shared in a heartfelt 2023 conversation with the BBC, expressing how deeply he continues to impact her life.

How did‌ Mary Austin ⁢describe the emotional impact of auctioning Freddie Mercury’s personal belongings?

Auctioning. This event not only celebrated​ Mercury’s legacy but also marked a poignant moment for Austin as she‌ parted with the remnants of a life shared together.

As she reflected on ⁣the experience‌ of letting go, Austin emphasized that the ⁢auction was not merely about the monetary value but rather a way ‌to honor Mercury’s memory while allowing others ​to appreciate pieces of his storied life. The emotional weight of these‌ decisions was evident, as she navigated the challenges of maintaining a connection to Mercury’s past through the tangible artifacts he left behind.

the story of Mary Austin and Freddie​ Mercury stands as a testament to the complexity of ‌love—both romantic and platonic—highlighting an extraordinary bond that endured ⁣despite the tumultuous changes in their relationship. ​Their unique companionship provides a glimpse into the life ‍of ​one of music’s ⁢most ⁣iconic⁤ figures, as well as the meaningful impact he had on those⁢ closest to him.