Mary Austin, often called Freddie Mercury’s muse and closest confidante, is a woman who holds a special place in the hearts of Queen fans around the world. Despite being relatively private and guarded about her life, her connection with Freddie Mercury and her influence on his music has made her a fascinating figure. This day, we’ll delve into Mary Austin’s early life, her relationship with the iconic frontman, and her net worth.
Net Worth: $115 Million
Date of Birth: Mar 6, 1951
Place of Birth: London, England
Gender: Female
Profession: Producer
Mary Austin Early Life
Mary Austin was born on March 6, 1951, in London, England. The daughter of deaf parents, she grew up in a humble and loving environment, where she learned sign language to communicate with her family. Austin has an older brother and a younger sister, and the family lived in a small flat in Battersea, a working-class neighborhood in South London.
After leaving school at the age of 15, Austin began working at a fashion boutique called Biba in Kensington, which was a trendy hotspot for the fashion-conscious youth of the time. It was at Biba that Mary Austin first met Freddie Mercury, who was then known as Farrokh Bulsara.
Freddie, who was an art student at the time, would visit Biba frequently, and the pair quickly became friends. As their friendship blossomed, Freddie Mercury introduced Mary to the world of music, and she began attending his band’s rehearsals and shows. Their relationship soon turned romantic, and the couple moved in together in 1969.
Throughout their time together, Mary Austin played an essential role in Freddie’s life, both as his lover and as a source of support and inspiration for his music. When Queen was formed in 1970, Mary was there, helping with costumes, attending their gigs, and offering emotional support to Freddie.
Although their romantic relationship eventually came to an end due to Freddie’s sexuality, the bond between the two remained unbreakable. In an interview, Freddie 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.”
Mary Austin Personal Life
After her relationship with Freddie Mercury transitioned into a deep and lasting friendship, Mary Austin went on to have other relationships. In the late 1970s, she began dating Queen’s lead guitarist, Brian May, but the relationship was short-lived. Later, Mary married painter Piers Cameron, with whom she had two children, Richard and Jamie. Although the couple eventually separated, they remained on good terms.
Throughout her life, Mary has been known for her strong sense of loyalty and her dedication to maintaining the privacy of both her personal life and Freddie’s. She has consistently turned down offers to publish tell-all books or participate in documentaries, preferring to honor Freddie’s memory in her own way.
Mary Austin Career
While Mary Austin is most well-known for her relationship with Freddie Mercury and her role in the early days of Queen, she has also had a career of her own. As mentioned earlier, she worked at the trendy Biba boutique in the late 1960s, which allowed her to develop a keen eye for fashion and style.
After her time at Biba, Mary continued to work in the fashion industry, eventually opening her own boutique called the Austin-Mercury Boutique in London. This venture was short-lived but showcased Mary’s entrepreneurial spirit and her passion for fashion.
Mary also played a crucial role in the early days of Queen, assisting with costumes and offering support to Freddie and the band. Although she never pursued a career in the music industry, her presence and influence on Freddie’s life are undeniable, and her contributions to the band are remembered fondly by Queen fans.
In recent years, Mary has focused on her family and maintaining her private life. She has been involved in charitable efforts, including work with the Mercury Phoenix Trust, a charity founded by Queen’s remaining members to support HIV/AIDS initiatives in Freddie’s memory.
Mary Austin Net Worth
Mary Austin inherited a significant portion of Freddie Mercury’s estate following his death in 1991. Freddie bequeathed her his luxurious West London mansion, Garden Lodge, which is worth millions of dollars today. He also left her 50% of his future earnings from his music, with an additional 25% going to his parents and the remaining 25% to his sister.
Since Freddie’s death, Mary has been fiercely protective of his legacy and his private life. She has maintained control over Garden Lodge and refused numerous offers to sell the property or open it to the public. It has been estimated that Mary Austin’s net worth is around $60 million, thanks to her inheritance and ongoing royalties from Freddie Mercury’s music.
Although Mary Austin has mostly stayed out of the public eye, she has occasionally spoken about her relationship with Freddie and his lasting impact on her life. In a rare interview with the Daily Mail in 2013, Mary said, “Freddie was my great love, and he still is. It took a long time to come to terms with the fact that he wasn’t here anymore, but I still feel close to him.”
