Freddie Mercury, the 45-year-old frontman of Queen, passed away from pneumonia related to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome on November 24, 1991—just one day after publicly announcing his illness, which he had previously denied. The sudden turn of events shocked fans and sparked sensational theories among researchers about the events leading up to his death. Even three decades later, this death remains shrouded in as much mystery as the life and persona of the rock idol who became a national treasure in Britain.
Causes of Immunodeficiency
Much ado was made over publications suggesting that the artist may have been deliberately infected years before his death: daring individuals found logical explanations for the unavailability of his medical history, the rapid progression of his illness without adequate treatment, the absence of an autopsy (the death certificate was issued based on the words of his personal physician), the small circle of attendees at the farewell ceremony, the immediate cremation, the secret burial location of his ashes, and the subsequent silence from those close to the deceased. In short, the most intriguing theories from biographers revolve around the idea of a “contract killing” of a “victim of conspiracy” benefiting a hypothetical “AIDS industry.”
Proponents of conspiracy theories point to a mark on the sick man’s body that could indicate a possible hepatitis B vaccination: it was suggested that this could have caused the deadly immunodeficiency. According to the testimony of Jim Hutton, Mercury’s partner for the last six years, at the clinic where Mercury was to undergo a fatal HIV test, they inexplicably took a tissue sample instead of blood: the procedure unexpectedly required a tissue biopsy. Perhaps the mark on his shoulder from the vaccination needed to be concealed through hasty cremation?
One of the last photos of Freddie Mercury
The partner who accompanied the artist during his final years recounted the prior media preparation linking Mercury to AIDS—his name and the syndrome’s name began appearing side by side in the tabloids a year before his likely infection during testing. Despite a clean bill of health just before, a scandalous interview appeared in a London tabloid in which the musician supposedly reflected on promiscuous sexual encounters and drug use. In anger, the artist demanded a retraction from the publication, but the newspaper ignored the misunderstanding. The subsequent developments suggested that this may have been part of a carefully crafted plan.
Rumors about the “bad behavior” of the idol, supposedly paying for his “unrighteous” lifestyle with a “disease of homosexuals and drug addicts,” were imposed on society at a time when Mercury’s previous tests were negative, and his lifestyle did not exhibit excesses. Concerned about the deaths of some former partners, Freddie stopped putting himself at risk two years before his infection and had not been seen in “promiscuous relationships” since 1985. He spent his free time at home with his cats, only diverting himself for concert activities. Thus, researchers concluded that he could not have contracted the disease sexually. They also believed that medical negligence could not have been the cause of his infection, as that would have affected others as well.
The “Secret Agent”
When a music magazine reporter directly inquired in 1974 about the singer’s gay experiences, which he had never discussed, Freddie smiled and replied, “But you’re a sly one. If you don’t deny it, we won’t talk about the youthful antics that people go through in their school years, alright? I’m not going to delve into this topic.” On another occasion, when asked a similar question, the polite Mercury responded with playful flamboyance: “I’m as much a gay as I am a narcissist, my dear!”
The ambiguity surrounding this aspect of the vibrant performer’s life continues to pique interest over time. In particular, the creators of the Oscar-winning film “Bohemian Rhapsody” faced criticism for not daring to portray Freddie Mercury’s relationships with men honestly. Meanwhile, despite his popularity in the gay underground, Mercury always managed to blend that reputation with the public image of a rock band frontman appealing to predominantly heterosexual fans.
A scene from the film “Bohemian Rhapsody”
At the same time, those in the know pointed out “hints” of non-traditional orientation in the name and work of the band Queen, where the artist displayed an innate tendency toward flamboyant mannerisms. The British group’s career in the U.S. was reportedly harmed by the extravagant 1984 music video for “I Want to Break Free,” in which the musicians appeared in female attire from a popular British series. “During the American promotional tour, we were explicitly forbidden to perform it due to its homosexual undertones,” recounted Mercury’s bandmate Brian May.
Experts even saw the frontman as a “secret agent infiltrating queer culture into heterosexual consciousness.” According to Ryan Butcher, editor of the LGBT site PinkNews, the mustachioed singer in a bodysuit and tights was so overt in his “outrageous” stage flamboyance that it resembled a “double bluff.”
Freddie in a Scaramouche costume
“Married to Love”
While concealing his sexual orientation, Mercury shamelessly put it on display. What else could his open visits to popular “blue party” spots—London’s Royal Vauxhall Tavern and Heaven—be but a deliberate demonstration of personal freedom? According to British comedian Cleo Rocos, she once witnessed an anonymous visit to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern by a transvestite-clad Princess Diana, escorted by comedian Kenny Everett and Freddie Mercury. Later, the British princess would lead a campaign to help those suffering from AIDS.
However, Mercury never joined the ranks of LGBT rights activists or declared himself gay. This has sparked debate over whether it is appropriate to label him a “gay icon.” According to Ryan Butcher from the LGBT community, Freddie’s lifestyle was more aligned with the definition of “queer” than “bisexual” or “gay.” This applies not only to his sexual orientation but to his personality as a whole.
As Brian May stated in 2008, it never mattered to Freddie whether people considered him gay or not: “It wasn’t important to him.” The musician said he was “married to love,” “to every person with whom he felt a connection.” The art of this performer was also based on boundless love that resonated with people on a “live” level.
The first Asian rock star in European culture illuminated popular Western music of the 1970s with the dazzling rays of the southern sun, embodying the euphoria, hedonism, freedom of feelings, and enjoyment of life characteristic of that era. The iconic figure from South Asia drew inspiration from Bollywood singers but never elaborated on his musical passions or racial background, just as he did not disclose his personal sexual preferences. He tried not to mention in his rare interviews his education at an Indian school or his admiration for the singing of the legendary Lata Mangeshkar: confidential information was not part of his persona.
Queen, 1970s
A Brilliant Gift
Farrokh Bulsara was born in 1946 in Zanzibar (the island now belongs to Tanzania) to Indian Parsi parents from Gujarat. He began introducing himself as Freddie, a name meaning “beautiful” and “happy,” while attending closed Indian boarding schools similar to English ones, where he was sent after the birth of his sister at the age of eight. By the age of ten, Freddie was the best table tennis player in school, and by twelve, he was a winner in youth pentathlon and received a certificate for outstanding achievements in academics and arts.
Little Farrokh with his mother
From childhood, Freddie displayed talents in music (playing the piano and participating in a school rock band since 1958) and painting (creating portraits of relatives and friends), which would also become his profession. After the family moved to the UK, the son of an English High Court cashier received an art education at Ealing College (a diploma in fine arts and design) and there, in West London, attempted to launch his music career. His early performances and first hits in the art-rock style were created under the pseudonym Larry Lurex—by then, the singer with a unique voice was already feeling his “brilliant” gift.
Freddie with members of his first band, The Hectics
Freddie’s talent entered British music through a name change. Farrokh Bulsara was left behind: future musical heights would be conquered by Freddie Mercury. According to his bandmate Sir Brian May, “the plans to become a musical deity required the immigrant to shed his old skin.” This “rebirth of identity” would help Freddie avoid the racial prejudices characteristic of the time. According to singer Leo Kalyan, of Pakistani descent and one of the first openly gay South Asians in London, Freddie understood that the Western music industry was not oriented toward “colored” migrants, so to achieve success, he “masked” himself as a white person. This is why the South Asian heritage of the Queen frontman was never emphasized.
Thus, sexual orientation is not the only facet of Mercury’s personality that the musician kept private.
The End with Continuation
For many, the musician’s decision regarding his estate will remain a mystery. Half of his wealth and primary real estate were bequeathed not to Jim Hutton but to Mary Austin, who still lives in the inherited estate from the era of King George, “Garden Lodge.” “If life had turned out differently, this would have been rightfully yours as a widow,” Freddie told his beloved woman at their farewell.
No matter what people said about his orientation, the love of Mercury’s life was his longtime friend, to whom he once proposed, gave a ring, and dedicated the hit “Love of My Life.” This woman was responsible for Freddie’s ashes, burying him, as journalists believe, in a London cemetery where a stone with his real name and dates of the deceased artist’s life and a dedication signed “M” was found.
Mary Austin and Mercury
Freddie met his childhood friend Mary Austin in 1970. Their acquaintance with the caring and attentive girl occurred in a boutique where the 19-year-old saleswoman helped the band members select stage outfits for performances. Initially, the guitarist courted her, inviting the new acquaintance on a date. However, Mary remained indifferent to Brian May’s advances. Freddie appealed to her more, and soon their dates led to meeting the parents.
The couple began living together and planned a wedding. Mary was ready to have a child with her beloved, but Mercury realized he had rushed into the decision. After an honest conversation, they remained friends and colleagues who supported each other as close individuals. Mary married artist Jim Hutton, with whom she had two children. For the firstborn of his former love, Freddie even became a godfather.
Where the Soul Lives
This unusual bond with his wife troubled only Mercury’s successor, and over time, Mary Austin’s first marriage fell apart. Her second marriage also cracked after four years: the beloved woman of Mercury divorced her new partner as well. Instead, she remained with Freddie until his last breath, learning about his terrible illness as one of the first. “Partners usually fell for my flashy packaging, and only Mary loved me for who I was,” the artist realized.
This year, 72-year-old Mary Austin put up for auction one thousand five hundred personal items of Freddie Mercury, including his unique stage costumes, hit manuscripts, and art pieces from the personal collection that the Queen frontman had gathered for over thirty years. The initial estimated value of the rarities displayed at Sotheby’s is over six million pounds. “There are works by Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall,” said the curator of the masterpieces, which remained in their former places in the musician’s home. “This is a collection of the smartest and most sophisticated person, the depth of whose soul can be attempted to be grasped through her artifacts.”
Freddie Mercury’s items displayed at Sotheby’s auction
Biographers agree that the mystery that Freddie Mercury either intentionally or unintentionally cultivated around his persona added an extra shine to his charming image. Even more than 30 years after his death, he continues to remain a well-guarded secret. And this fuels interest in a personality about whom we always want to know more than is currently possible…