Mary Austin has opened up about the emotional and financial challenges she faced after inheriting much of Freddie Mercury’s estate.
Austin, who became engaged to the Queen singer in the 1970s, received half of his estate after his death in 1991. The inheritance reportedly included around £20 million to £30 million at the time, plus future royalties.
Mercury and Austin ended their romantic relationship after he told her that he was gay. However, they remained close friends. Austin later worked as Mercury’s personal assistant and stayed close to him until his death at 45.
Now 80, Austin has revealed that managing the inheritance has not always felt easy. “Mostly, it’s been really difficult,” she said in a recent interview.
Mercury also left Austin his Kensington home, Garden Lodge. However, Austin initially refused to accept the property. “I said, ‘I don’t want the house, I’ve worked hard for you to live in this,’” Austin recalled.
Mercury reportedly responded that Austin would have become his wife if their relationship had continued. “If everything had gone to plan you would have been my wife, and this would have been rightly yours,” he told her.
Austin eventually moved into Garden Lodge. Her move created tension because Mercury’s partner, Jim Hutton, had to leave the property.
Mercury left Hutton £500,000 and gave him three months to move out. Austin said the executors of Mercury’s will made that decision. “It had nothing to do with me. It was all down to the executors of the will,” she said.
Austin also continues to protect one of Mercury’s final wishes. She has never revealed where he wanted his ashes scattered.
“I think if I was Freddie’s parents, Freddie’s sister, and I wasn’t allowed to know where his ashes have been scattered, I would be upset and offended,” she said.
However, Austin explained that Mercury asked her to keep the location secret. She continues to honour that request.
Austin has now put Garden Lodge on the market for around £30 million. She also plans to leave part of her inherited wealth to the Elton John AIDS Foundation and her two sons.
Mercury’s legacy will continue through upcoming auctions and exhibitions. Organisers will auction his piano, microphone and handwritten songwriting drafts in October.
The V&A will also display some of Mercury’s famous costumes next month. The exhibition will mark what would have been his 80th birthday, with Austin helping create the display.
Austin’s story shows the complicated legacy that Mercury left behind. His friendship with Austin continued long after their romantic relationship ended, and his final wishes still shape her life today.
