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Mary Austin news
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Mary Austin, Freddie Mercury's ex-fiancée, reveals his £150m inheritance has been 'really difficult' to manage.
The book 'A Life in Lyrics' offers rare insight into Mercury's private life and.
Background
Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, died in 1991 and left half his estate, then estimated at £20-30m, to Mary Austin, his former fiancée and lifelong friend. Over the decades, the estate has grown to around £150m. Austin has largely stayed out of the public eye, but now she is speaking out in a new book and interviews, sharing personal stories and unseen lyrics.
How it unfolded
- 1991Freddie Mercury dies, leaving half his estate to Mary Austin.
- 2022Austin opens one of four silver trunks containing Mercury's handwritten lyrics for the first time in almost 40 years.
- Aug 30, 2026The Times publishes an interview with Austin about her life with Mercury.
- Aug 31, 2026People magazine reveals exclusive details from Austin's new book 'A Life in Lyrics'.
- Sep 1, 2026The book 'A Life in Lyrics' is released; Austin gives interviews to The Guardian and others, discussing the inheritance and Mercury's last words.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Austin states that managing the inheritance has been 'really difficult' and that she initially refused to live in Mercury's house.
- Public
- Some Queen fans view Austin as a divisive figure due to the auction of Mercury's belongings and her perceived frostiness.
- Expert
- Critics praise the book for showing the 'real Freddie Mercury' and providing valuable insight into his creative process.
Still unverified
Austin denies reports that her share of the estate rose to 75% after the death of Mercury's parents.