Freddie Mercury, who would have turned 76 on Monday, September 5, is widely considered one of the greatest singers of all time, with a career spanning nearly two decades before his untimely death at the age of 45. Now, three decades after his death, Queen’s music is still breaking records in the industry. So who’s getting the singer’s share and where did his millions go?
Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in 1946 Zanzibar, had an estimated net worth of over $50million (£43million) at the time of his death in 1991 according to Celebrity Net Worth.
A large majority of this was in his real estate portfolio, worth an estimated $40million (£34million), while the singer held over $10million (£8.7million) in liquid assets.
This incredible inheritance was split between Mercury’s nearest and dearest.
His long-time friend and close confidante Mary Austin received the largest slice of the singer’s millions as well as his home.
Mercury set aside a fair amount of funds for his parents, Bomi and Jer Bulsara, and his only sister, Kashmira.
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One last sum was distributed between Mercury’s partner Jim Hutton as well as his chef, personal assistant and driver.
The Somebody To Love singer died just one day after he publicly revealed he had been diagnosed with AIDS in 1991, with complications related to the disease cited as responsible for his death.
Although Mercury lived a life of style and flamboyance, his intimate funeral service surprised his fans, attended by just 35 people in West London.
Only Austin reportedly knows the burial site of Mercury’s ashes.
As part of her inheritance from the We Will Rock You singer, Austin also received a 50 percent stake of Mercury’s recording royalties.
The musician’s parents and sister split the remaining 50 percent.
Following the deaths of Mercury’s parents in 2003 and 2016, it is believed Austin’s share went up to 75 percent.
The singer often referred to Austin as “love of my life” even after their romantic relationship ended.
The Bohemian Rhapsody singer was world renowned as a sensational rockstar during his life, a reputation which has only grown over time.
This is Money reported that since his death, Mercury earned £50million in the two decades after his death, meaning Austin would have received roughly £25million in that time.
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Earlier this year, Queen’s 1981 Greatest Hits album became the best selling album of all time in the UK as it surpassed seven million sales.
The band still tours, with original drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May whilst Adam Lambert fills Mercury’s shoes.
Tour sales, exhibition earnings and other income streams such as the hit 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, are all reportedly split four ways with one quarter going to Mercury’s beneficiaries.
However, May shared his dismay on specifically the film’s earnings on BBC Radio 2 in 2019 saying: “We still haven’t earned a penny from it – isn’t that funny?
“How successful does a movie have to be before you make any money!”
Following Mercury’s death, the We Are the Champions singer hasn’t just earned cash, but multiple posthumous awards too.
The band received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys in 2018, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002.
That same year, Mercury, as an individual, was ranked in the BBC poll of the 100 Greatest Britons, came in number 18 on the Rolling Stone’s list of 100 Greatest Singers and was voted the greatest rock singer of all time in a Classic Rock poll.
His legacy continues to live on in other ways as well, as the star has been honoured with statues in London’s West End and in Montreux, Switzerland.
Additionally, since his death Mercury has had two streets, an asteroid and a frog genus named after him.