Keith Mack
Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin's relationship has long intrigued fans. Mercury, the frontman of the band Queen, and Austin, a young woman from a working-class family in London, first met in 1969 and soon became a couple. Despite their eventual break-up, they remained close until Mercury's death in 1991. Mercury even referred to Austin as his common-law wife, and left her the majority of his fortune and possessions. The nature of their enduring bond, which survived the end of their romantic relationship and Mercury's coming out as bisexual, has been the subject of much fascination and speculation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Relationship status | Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin were engaged but never married. |
| Nature of relationship | The couple were romantically involved for several years, but remained close friends until Mercury's death. |
| Freddie Mercury's views on their relationship | Mercury considered Austin his "common-law wife" and said that their relationship was like a marriage. |
| Mary Austin's views on their relationship | Austin considered Mercury her "soulmate" and said that their relationship was like a marriage. |
| Children | The couple did not have any children together. |
| Living arrangements | The couple lived together for several years, first in a small flat and later in a larger apartment. |
| Financial arrangements | Austin was the primary breadwinner during the early years of their relationship. After his death, Mercury left Austin a substantial inheritance, including his mansion and a significant portion of his estate. |
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What You'll Learn
Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin's first meeting
Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin's relationship was an unusual and lifelong love story. Mercury and Austin first met in 1969, when he was 24 years old and she was 19. At the time, neither could have imagined what the future would hold for them as a couple and as individuals with a deep love for each other.
Austin was working at the prestigious fashion boutique Biba in Kensington, West London, when she met Mercury. He had also taken a job at a nearby clothing stall in Kensington Market, which he ran with future Queen drummer Roger Taylor.
Austin was initially hesitant about the sometimes larger-than-life Mercury, but they soon became a couple. Mercury was a long way off from international fame, and their lifestyle was not glamorous. They moved into a cramped flat together as Mercury worked on his music career. Within a few months, they had moved in together.
Austin described Mercury as a "wild-looking artistic musician" and "very confident", while she considered herself less so. She said: "He was like no one I had met before. We grew together. I liked him and it went on from there." Mercury and Austin's relationship would eventually span over three decades, and despite their breakup as romantic partners, they remained very close friends.
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Their romantic relationship
Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin's romantic relationship began in 1969, a year before the band Queen was formed. Mercury was 24 at the time, and Austin was 19. They first met when Austin was working at the clothing store Biba in Kensington, West London, and Mercury ran a clothing stall in the same market.
Austin was initially hesitant about Mercury, but they soon became a couple and moved in together. "It took about three years for me to really fall in love. But I had never felt that way about anyone," Austin said. Mercury also described her as "the love of my life".
In 1973, the couple moved to a bigger flat in London's Holland Road, and Mercury proposed to Austin on Christmas Day. However, their engagement was short-lived, and Mercury broke it off in 1976 after coming out to Austin as bisexual. Despite the end of their romantic relationship, Mercury and Austin remained incredibly close until his death in 1991.
Mercury himself described their bond: "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."
Austin was by Mercury's side when he passed away from AIDS-related bronchial pneumonia at the age of 45. She carried out his wish to secretly scatter his ashes, and she still lives in the London mansion he left her, along with half of his $75 million estate.
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Their engagement
Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin first met in 1969, a year before the band Queen was formed. Mercury was 24 at the time, and Austin was 19. Mercury had just finished art college, and Austin worked in a clothing store in Kensington, West London, where they first encountered each other.
Mercury and Austin soon fell in love and moved into a shared apartment on Holland Road in London. Their romantic relationship lasted a few years, and they got engaged in 1973. Mercury proposed to Austin on Christmas Day, presenting her with a jade ring in a playful manner.
> "When I was 23 he gave me a big box on Christmas Day. Inside was another box, then another and so it went on. It was like one of his playful games. Eventually, I found a lovely jade ring inside the last small box," Austin recalled.
However, their engagement did not last, and Mercury broke it off three years later in 1976. Despite ending their romantic relationship, Mercury and Austin remained close friends until his death in 1991. They loved each other deeply, and Austin was by Mercury's side when he passed away, holding his hand as he died.
Austin was Mercury's longest friend and closest companion, and he considered her his "common-law wife". He once said:
> "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."
Mercury left Austin the majority of his fortune, as well as his mansion in Kensington and all his possessions, demonstrating the depth of their connection and the enduring nature of their bond, even after their engagement ended.
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Freddie Mercury's bisexuality
Freddie Mercury, the iconic frontman of the band Queen, had a close and complex relationship with Mary Austin. The pair met in 1969, a year before Queen was formed, and dated for several years. Mercury even proposed to Austin in 1973, but they broke off their engagement three years later. Despite this, Mercury and Austin remained close friends, with Mercury referring to Austin as his "common-law wife" and the "love of his life".
Mercury's sexuality has been the subject of much discussion and speculation. While he never publicly confirmed his sexuality, he is known to have had relationships with both men and women. In his own words, Mercury described himself as "bisexual". Mercury's bandmate, Brian May, also observed a shift in Mercury's romantic interests over time, from women to men.
Mercury's relationship with Austin provides insight into his bisexuality. After several years of dating, Mercury came out to Austin as bisexual. Despite this revelation, Austin remained a constant presence in Mercury's life, accompanying him in public appearances and even being by his side when he passed away in 1991.
In addition to his relationship with Austin, Mercury had relationships with both men and women. Some of his known partners include record executive Paul Prenter, David Minns, chef Joe Fanelli, DHL courier Tony Bastin, German restaurateur Winfried "Winnie" Kirchberger, and Jim Hutton, who was with Mercury until his death. Mercury's songs also provide clues about his bisexuality, with some interpreting "Bohemian Rhapsody" as a coming-out song, and "Love of My Life" as a ballad written for Austin.
Mercury's bisexuality and his relationships with both men and women highlight the complexity of human sexuality and the fluid nature of sexual orientation. While he kept his sexuality private, his openness in his personal life and his expression through music offer a glimpse into his true self.
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Mary Austin's life after Freddie Mercury's death
Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin were in a relationship for about seven years. Mercury considered Austin his "common-law wife" and the only friend he had. Mercury even asked Austin to marry him. However, Mercury came out to Austin as bisexual, and the two remained close friends until his death.
After Mercury's death, Austin carried out his wish to scatter his ashes secretly. She has never revealed the location of his ashes. Austin still lives in Mercury's West London mansion, where he died in 1991. She has two sons: Richard, to whom Mercury was godfather, and Jamie, born shortly after Mercury's death. She also married businessman Nick Holford, but the marriage ended in divorce after five years.
In April 2023, Austin announced she would auction 1,500 of Mercury's personal treasures, including costumes, instruments, and handwritten song lyrics. She explained that "the time has come for me to take the difficult decision to close this very special chapter in my life."
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Frequently asked questions
No, Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin were not legally married.
Yes, Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin dated for about seven years, from 1969 to 1976. They were briefly engaged during this time, but Mercury broke off the engagement in 1976 when he came out to Austin as bisexual.
Yes, despite their romantic relationship ending, Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin remained incredibly close friends until Mercury's death in 1991. Mercury even referred to Austin as his "common-law wife", saying, "To me, it was a marriage."
Yes, when Freddie Mercury died in 1991, he left Mary Austin half of his reported $75 million estate, including his 28-room London mansion and its contents.
No, Mary Austin did not have children with Freddie Mercury. She had two children with painter Piers Cameron, but he had always felt overshadowed by Mercury.
