Who is Mary Austin?
FREDDIE Mercury was one of the biggest stars in the world, with adoring fans around the world.
But behind closed doors the legendary Queen frontman liked nothing more than spending time with his best friend, Mary Austin.
Who is Mary Austin?
Mary Austin was born in 1951 in Fulham, London, and is known for being Freddie Mercury's ex-fiance.
She was brought up by her deaf parents, and the only way they communicated to their daughter was through lip-reading and sign language.
Although Mary and Freddie didn't last as a couple, as he came out as gay, they remained friends until his death in 1991, with him calling her, "my one true love".
While she was not involved in making the 2018 movie Bohemian Rhapsody, she is said to have given her approval.
How did Freddie Mercury meet Mary Austin?
Zanzibar-born Freddie, whose real name was Farrokh Bulsara, met Mary in 1969, five years after moving to England.
Aged 24, he had just finished art college, and 19-year-old Mary was working in a West London fashion boutique when they fell in love.
Soon they shared a cramped flat near Kensington market, where Freddie had a clothes stall with Queen drummer Roger Taylor.
While Freddie was both camp on and off stage, sporting outrageous clothes and strutting theatrically, the presence of Mary meant his sexuality was not questioned.
He dedicated the song Love Of My Life to her and proposed in 1973, around the time Queen released their debut album.
However Mary's suspicions grew and eventually, when he confessed that he was “bisexual” in 1976, she replied, ‘No Freddie, I don’t think you are bisexual. I think you are gay’.”
After that, Mary moved into a nearby flat and the couple remained incredibly close with her working for his management company.
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. I couldn’t fall in love with a man the same way as I have with Mary.”
The pair remained best friends until Freddie sadly passed away on November 24, 1991.
Did Mary Austin have children?
Mary has two children with her first husband, Piers Cameron.
The former couple were married from 1990 to 1993, and during their time welcomed Richard and Jamie.
In fact, Freddie was Richard's godfather until his sad passing.
She was then later married to Nicholas Holford from 1998 to 2000.
Where is Mary Austin now?
After his death, it was revealed Freddie had left Mary half of his £75million estate, including the cherished £25million Georgian mansion in Kensington.
She now lives as a quiet life there, where fans still make regular pilgrimages.
The interior of the lavishly decorated 28-room palace remains largely unchanged since Freddie’s days.
As she did the interior design for him, choosing the Louis XV furniture, there is no reason to change a thing.
However in 2023, in a move that has surprised Queen fans across the world, Mary announced she was auctioning 1,500 of the star's belongings including costumes, instruments and the singer's hand-written song lyrics.
In an exclusive interview with the BBC Mary explained her decision.
"The time has come for me to take the difficult decision to close this very special chapter in my life," she said .
"I need to put my affairs in order," she explained, adding, "I decided that it wouldn't be appropriate for me to keep things back."
"If I was going to sell, I had to be brave and sell the lot."