Mary Austin

Legendary singer Freddie Mercury always referred to Mary Austin as his “wife,” and consequently, he left the majority of his estate to her.

When Mary learned she was to inherit most of Freddie Mercury's fortune, she was both excited and apprehensive. The inheritance meant losing one of the most important people in her life and also brought significant responsibilities.

Coming from modest beginnings, Mary understood the challenges of managing such a large sum of money and maintaining properties like the iconic Garden Lodge mansion in London, where Freddie resided. She adapted quickly, continuing to live in the impressive mansion and significantly growing her wealth over time.

At Garden Lodge, Mary raised her two children, Richard and Jamie, and safeguarded Freddie’s exceptional art collection along with his most private secrets. Mary was Freddie’s most trusted person, and their bond went beyond friendship, embodying pure and unwavering love.

Their relationship began when Mary was 19 and Freddie was 24. A few months after meeting, they started dating and remained together for six years. Their romance ended when Freddie revealed his homosexuality, but their connection remained strong. As Freddie's fame and status rose, he purchased a house for Mary nearby and employed her as his personal assistant to ensure she stayed close.

Their bond only grew stronger over time. When Mary was diagnosed with AIDS, her top priority was to care for Freddie. Although she had married another man and was pregnant with Jamie, Mary dedicated most of her time to being by Freddie’s side. She has always been the guardian of his secrets and continues to honor that role today. More than thirty years after Freddie Mercury’s passing, he has rarely given interviews and has kept many personal details private, including the location of his scattered ashes, as per his wishes.

Freddie recognized and valued Mary’s unwavering loyalty, wanting to honor her in return. To this day, Mary Austin benefits financially each year from royalties. In 2018 alone, the release of the film *Bohemian Rhapsody*, which chronicles Queen’s journey, earned her 47 million euros, according to El Mundo.

In contrast, Freddie Mercury left just over 500,000 euros to his partner at the time and the same amount to his cook. Despite both Freddie and Mary having other relationships after their breakup, none were able to match the depth of their connection.

Mary Austin, now 73, has revealed that the loyalty they shared was akin to a steadfast marriage. She stated, “We live our vows, in the good and for worse, for richer and for poorer, in health and in sickness,” during a 2000 interview with Ok! Magazine. “I never could have walked away from Freddie if he hadn’t passed away, and it was still difficult.”

Their story exemplifies a profound and enduring love, highlighting the strength of their bond and Mary’s lasting commitment to Freddie Mercury’s legacy.