With Queen, the singer with the remarkable and unmistakable voice rose to become a celebrated superstar. So Freddie Mercury celebrated successes that other artists can only dream of in the course of their careers. His life was too short, but rich in experiences – both musically and privately.
And to this day, Freddie Mercury still dominates YouTube and the streaming services – several Queen songs and accompanying music videos have been viewed millions of times over the past few years. The film “Bohemian Rhapsody”, in which the artist was played by Rami Malek, helped a lot. ROLLING STONE has summarized the most important questions and answers about the unique singer here.
How old was Freddie Mercury?
The singer, who rose to worldwide fame with Queen, was born on September 5, 1946 as Farrokh Bulsara. He died on November 24, 1991 – so he was only 45 years old.
How did Freddie Mercury die?
Freddie Mercury died as a result of the immune deficiency AIDS. He contracted pneumonia in the last months of 1991 and subsequently fell into a coma a few hours before his death. Even if the artist only announced in an official statement the day before his death that he had AIDS, Mercury had already been diagnosed with HIV a few years earlier. It is not clear when he found out about this, as people close to him give different information. According to this, he could have been infected with the virus as early as the mid-eighties.
Where is Freddie Mercury buried?
There is no official grave for Freddie Mercury. The artist was cremated after his death. The urn was then handed over to his relatives – it is not known whether and where it was ultimately buried. Rumor has it that he may have been laid to rest in Lake Geneva, while others say he may still be at his home in London. However, none of the speculations have ever been officially confirmed.
What was Freddie Mercury’s last song?
The song “Mother Love” is the last song by Freddie Mercury. He co-wrote it with Brian May in 1991. However, the Queen singer did not live to see his release. The song appeared on the Made in Heaven album in 1995.
Was Freddie Mercury married?
The Queen singer has never been married. However, Freddie Mercury got engaged to his life partner Mary Austin. In the mid-1970s, however, he is said to have come out privately, which is why the couple separated as friends. Austin was a faithful companion to the artist until Mercury’s death in 1991. She is also said to have put up a plaque in Kensal Green Cemetery, which disappeared a few months later.
Who is Freddie Mercury’s heir?
Mary Austin is said to have inherited a large part of his fortune. She also received his property in London, where she still lives with her family today. Freddie Mercury’s parents and sister also inherited part of his fortune – as did his partner Jim Hutton.
Does Freddie Mercury have a child?
Even if the musician liked to spend time with children from his environment, his own offspring was apparently never an option for him. He and Mary Austin are said to have agreed at the time of their engagement that they did not want to have children. Being a good father and a successful musician was simply not compatible for him.
Where did Freddie Mercury live?
After living in Munich for some time in the 1980s, Freddie Mercury changed his place of residence: His last property was the following address: Garden Lodge, No. 1 Logan Place in the London Borough of Kensington. His last home is still a place of pilgrimage for music fans.