Even though the rock band Queen has disbanded, its tunes continue to shake the music world, but few are aware that Mary Austin is the woman behind the band’s uplifting lyrics.
As the late band’s vocalist Freddie Mercury’s “wife,” Mary has been there for him through thick and thin, whether it was the inspiration for the song “Love of My Life” or support in his final years. This may be why he bequeathed her his whole fortune and residence by referring to her as his common-law wife.
Following the early and unexpected demise of the singing sensation, Mary attempted but failed to give marriage a second shot. Interested in learning how? Here is Freddie’s common-law wife’s wiki-biography.
The Rockstar Husband of “Common-Law Wife”; From Coming Out As Gay To Moving Out
Mary Austin, who grew up in a working-class family in West London, used to date Queen’s Brian May back in the day. Mary met the band’s frontman, Freddie Mercury, shortly after dating Brian, while both Mercury and May made round trips to London fashion shop Biba to view the retailer’s stunning female staff.
Mary was one of the shopgirls that May introduced to Freddie, and after five months of acquaintance, Mercury asked her out on a date, which she initially declined but eventually accepted.
Freddie and Mary had diametrically opposed personalities; he was perpetually excited in public, while she was quiet and humble. Despite their personality differences, their connection developed to the point that Mary saw a side of the musician that many never saw: a serious and quiet person.
Despite their financial difficulties, they became closer and moved in together in 1973. However, as his band achieved recognition, the pair relocated to a larger apartment and lived together for six years.
Mary believed Mercury was losing interest as the band, particularly Freddie, gained immense renown. Mercury, on the other hand, confessed to cheating on male partners and eventually came out as gay in the play. Mary was unsurprised by his adultery or sexuality, as she had long assumed following the singer’s late arrivals.
The revelation effectively ended their long-standing romance, but they remained close friends. Mary began working as the band’s secretary but was evicted from the house Freddie purchased near his apartment.
The Demise of The Legend
He was later diagnosed with HIV in 1987 and died in 1991 at the age of 45. Mercy, who believed Mary to be his common-law wife, bequeathed his whole £9 million money, assets, and his £20 million mansions, Garden Lodge. Additionally, he made a reference to her in his will, stating:
“You would have been my wife and it would have been yours anyway.”
Mercury, who had a net worth of $50 million, declared that Mary was completely irreplaceable despite the fact that they were not married.
“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.”
Mary decided to reside in the estate, but living in such a vast mansion came at a price: the fans’ famed homage in the form of graffiti on the mansion walls. Mary, frustrated by the continual washing and replacement of the walls, also posted a warning sign threatening to report those who leave tributes to the authorities. As of 2017, the mansion’s walls are completely bare after Mary demolished all tributes.
To add to Mary’s ‘gift of the curse,’ the location of Mercury’s ashes remains unknown to her. Mary asserts.
“He was so terrified that his last resting place might be defiled by bigots that he insisted the whereabouts of his ashes must never be revealed.”
Following Freddie’s death, his long-time girlfriend fulfilled his final desire when she was asked by Freddie on his deathbed to keep the location of his ashes a secret, not even revealing it to Freddie’s parents.
She also founded the Mercury Phoenix Trust in remembrance of Mercury, which tackles HIV and AIDS on a global scale, and continues to support Queen’s musical endeavors. She quickly reintroduced herself to her life and marriage.
Bohemian Rhapsody Gained Notoriety
Interestingly, the story of Mary and Freddie was portrayed in the 2018 mega-hit film Bohemian Rhapsody, which won the Golden Globe for Best Film. The film’s award season success continued with many victories for Rami Malek, who portrayed Freddie Mercury.
Considered a contender for the 2019 Academy Awards, the film introduced the world to Mary Austin, who likes to stay out of the spotlight. Lucy Boynton was cast in the film as her character. Mary is expected to receive £40 million in royalties from the film depicting Queen leader Freddie Mercury’s life.
It’s unsurprising that Mary is about to get such a quantity of money, given that Freddie left her 50% of his future earnings. The percentage climbed as Freddie’s parents died, leaving him with 25% of his earnings. Mary now owns 75% of Freddie’s future profits, while the remaining 25% remains with Freddie’s sister.
Death in the Post-Mercury Era; Unsuccessful Married Life
After a stipulated period of grief, she returned to her life and began living a regular existence in Freddie’s £20 million mansions.
She began dating a painter named Piers Cameron a year after his death. The couple has two children, the elder of whom Richard considers to be his godfather. However, the relationships were short-lived.
She married businessman Nicholas Holford again in 1998, but the marriage was annulled in 2002.
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