Between a near-billion-dollar movie about his life and continued royalties from his
generation-defining music, Freddie Mercury’s fortune has prospered long after his death.
So, who has access to it?
Keep watching to find out.
When Queen's electrifying frontman, Freddie Mercury, died in 1991, he had amassed a net
worth of around $50 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
That is quite a bit of money — but as Express reports, Mercury only earned about half of
it during his lifetime.
The other half was tied up in real estate investments and other non-liquid assets.
Mercury was in a unique position when it came to deciding who would receive his fortune.
He did not have a legal spouse or any children, but he did, sadly, have a good amount of time
to figure it out.
Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with HIV in 1987 — a time when it was still considered
a death sentence for those affected.
According to Men's Health, Mercury hid his prognosis from the public right up to the
day before he died in 1991.
He wanted to keep his illness private, which was understandable given the stigma surrounding
HIV/Aids throughout the 1980s.
"What about the new Hepatitis B vaccine?
It’s made from the blood of gay men.
Its safety is now being questioned."
Nevertheless, there was much speculation in the tabloids about Mercury's appearance.
He had grown thin and it seemed likely he was unwell.
Between the time that Freddie was diagnosed with HIV and the time that he died, he must
have carefully contemplated how he would share the fruits of his legacy.
According to Ultimate Classic Rock, Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara, left a quarter of his
net worth and future income to his parents, Bomi and Jer.
He left another quarter to his only sibling, Kashmira Bulsara.
Income from Mercury's work with Queen continues to grow to this day as the band tours with
American Idol finalist Adam Lambert and releases new music.
New generations have also been introduced to Queen through the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody,
which grossed more than $900 million, per NME.
Mercury's parents unfortunately did not see any of the money that the movie grossed, as
they both passed away before its 2018 release, according to Smooth Radio.
When his parents died, their portion of his wealth was passed back to the third and most
significant beneficiary of his estate.
Freddie Mercury left half of his fortune to Mary Austin, whom he considered to be his
soulmate. Mercury and Austin were once engaged and lived together for several years.
When he came out to her, they decided to end the relationship, but they remained very close.
"I could never turn away from him.
His pain became my pain.
His joy became my joy."
Austin and Mercury began their relationship in 1969 before he'd even formed Queen, and
they loved each other through all of the fame and success.
Throughout his illness and final days, Austin was an important part of his life — his
most trusted confidant.
All told, the pair maintained their unique relationship for more than two decades before
Mercury died.
Mary Austin is, in fact, the only person who knows where his ashes are, per his request.
Mercury said in a 1985 interview:
"To me, it was a marriage.
She’s my — my common law wife.
We carry on now as — like we were married."
For her part, Austin tried to change Mercury's mind, to which he replied:
"If things had been different, you would have been my wife and this would have been yours
anyway.”
Because Mercury requested that she receive his parents share after their passing, Austin
now owns 75% of his estate.
The New Zealand Herald tells us that Austin received $75 million in royalties from 2018’s
Bohemian Rhapsody.
Mercury also left his London home to Austin.
In 2019, Express reported that she has never redecorated or changed anything.
That home is estimated to be worth about £25 million, or about $33 million.
Austin said of Mercury’s home:
"Why would I want to change it?
It is his taste and style.
It's beautiful.
His presence is everywhere.”
Freddie Mercury left £500,000 — about $650,000 after inflation — to several friends, as
well as his then-lover Jim Hutton, according to Hello!
Magazine.
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