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When Queen’s iconic frontman, Freddie Mercury, passed away on November 24, 1991, at the young age of 45, his estate boasted a staggering £37.5 million. Despite being unmarried and childless, the music legend cherished numerous significant relationships, including his partnership with Jim Hutton at the time of his demise. The lion’s share of his assets, however, was bequeathed to his former lover, Mary Austin, triggering disputes and rivalries that continue to this day. Most recently, Freddie’s sister, Kashmira Bulsara, reportedly spent £3 million to reclaim her brother’s personal belongings after Mary auctioned them off in September 2023, marking yet another disagreement concerning the interpretation of the Bohemian Rhapsody singer’s will. Kashmira, 73, was reportedly “upset to see so many of her beloved brother’s possessions become available for anyone to buy” and reportedly spent millions purchasing cherished mementos of her sibling from Southeby’s in the record breaking auction.
The Complex Legacy of Freddie Mercury’s Will
Freddie Mercury’s will sparked considerable controversy, particularly regarding the substantial inheritance granted to Mary Austin. Let’s examine the details of his bequests and the ensuing disputes.
Mary Austin: The Primary Beneficiary
Mary, now 75, stood as Freddie’s oldest and most intimate confidante, even receiving a marriage proposal from him in 1973 at the age of 23. She stated the marriage proposal was unexpected. He justified his decision to designate her as his principal beneficiary by saying, “If circumstances had differed, you would have been my wife, and this would have rightfully belonged to you.”
In his will, Freddie entrusted Mary with his Kensington estate, Garden Lodge, along with all its contents. Mary inherited half his considerable wealth and half of all future earnings from his share of Queen royalties.
Distribution of Royalties After Freddie Mercury’s Death
- Freddie’s parents, Bomi and Jer Bulsara, and his sister, Kashmira, each initially received 25% of the residual royalties.
- Following his parents’ deaths, their shares reverted to Mary rather than their daughter, elevating Mary’s total stake to 75%.
- Today, Mary oversees 18.75% of Queen Productions’ overall revenue.
Other Beneficiaries
Beyond Mary and his immediate relatives, Freddie allocated lump sums and residences to other close associates. His long-term partner, Jim Hutton, and personal assistant, Peter Freestone, each received £500,000, with Peter also being granted a house.
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Jim Hutton’s Unfulfilled Expectations
Jim utilized the funds to construct a home in Ireland, where he resided until his passing on January 1, 2010. He later publicly expressed disappointment, alleging that he had been promised Garden Lodge, which Mary has recently listed for sale at £30 million.
In a 2006 interview with The Times, Jim claimed that Freddie had verbally affirmed his right to reside at Garden Lodge posthumously, although no formal documentation existed, and he was subsequently given three months to vacate the premises. This development reportedly “devastated” him. “In all honesty, my only thought was ‘How long have I got to live?’” he told the newspaper.
Peter Freestone’s Perspective
However, Freddie’s former personal assistant, Peter, later challenged this account in an interview. Asked whether he believed Freddie had ever formally promised Garden Lodge to Jim, Peter said: “No. I doubt that would ever have happened. It is something Freddie might have said in a moment but he was always very particular to write down anything he really wanted to happen, especially in his will. Anything verbal doesn’t mean anything.
“I do think it is significant that, in the end, he gave Mary the house and half of all his future earnings from Queen. That is what he felt for her…”
The Secret Resting Place of Freddie Mercury’s Ashes
One of Freddie Mercury’s final requests was that Mary scatter his ashes in secret to keep his burial grounds form being desecrated if they ever became known.
She has remained true to his wishes and kept his ashes in a secret place, promising to never reveal the location.