Arabic version: ماري أوستن تستعيد الرابطة الدائمة مع فريدي ميركوري

According to The Guardian, Mary Austin has spoken about her relationship with Freddie Mercury as she prepares to publish Freddie Mercury: A Life in Lyrics, a book combining his handwritten lyrics, photographs and her observations. Austin said opening one of four silver trunks packed in the mid-1980s was still too painful in 2022, when she found lyrics including those for “Don’t Stop Me Now”, “Killer Queen”, “We Are the Champions” and “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Austin and Mercury met in 1970, when he ran a clothes and textile stall at Kensington Market in London after graduating in graphic art and design. She was a friend of Queen guitarist Brian May and first encountered Mercury while he, May and Roger Taylor discussed names for their new band. May suggested Build Your Own Boat, while Mercury proposed Queen. Austin later said Mercury initially seemed “too confident” and intimidating, but they became friends and lovers.

They moved in together in 1971, splitting the rent, and later became engaged. Austin said they connected over difficult childhoods and that beneath Mercury’s bravado was a more vulnerable person. She described enjoying “the journey around his mind”, recalling his enthusiasm for music, films and ideas. As Queen’s success grew, she said Mercury became more focused, including after finding an upright piano for him to use.

After four years living together, Mercury told Austin that he thought he was bisexual. She replied that she believed he was gay, and said the conversation brought relief after uncertainty about their future. Their romantic relationship changed, but Austin said they became better friends. She later became Mercury’s PA and has continued to protect his privacy following his death. Austin owns Mercury’s house, where she has lived for more than 30 years, as well as half of his estate.