For Freddie Mercury (1946-1991), Mary Austin (72) was much more than just a former lover. “Mary is the only girlfriend I have and I don’t want anyone else,” the singer once explained. “To me she was always my legal wife. I felt like we were married.” It is hardly surprising that the world-famous singer considered her generously in his will. Many memorabilia are now to be auctioned off.
The two met and fell in love in 1969, a year before Mercury co-founded his legendary band Queen. After a relationship of several years, the two separated. Still, the friends remained inseparable until his death in 1991.
The inheritance awarded to Austin included Mercury’s 28-room mansion in west London. This estate also included an extensive art collection and lots of furniture.
According to the British BBC, she explained why Austin now wants to part with the entire estate – with the exception of a few private mementos – as follows: “It is time that I made the difficult decision to close this very special chapter in my life. [ …] I decided it wasn’t appropriate to hold all these things back. If I was going to sell, I had to be brave and sell everything.”
The collection, which comprises around 1,500 objects, is a “very intelligent and sophisticated collection” that reveals the singer’s entire “spectrum of taste”. In addition to works of art and furniture, song manuscripts and various stage outfits are also to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Also present: Mercury’s royal crown, which he had specially made for his band Queen’s “Magic Tour” in 1986.
Since this is a particularly unusual and extensive auction, the auction house Sotheby’s has decided to hold an auction event in several world cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and London. The name of the event: “Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own – The Evening Sale”.
Between June 1st and September 5th, 2023, his fans will have the opportunity to see some of the exceptional pieces in Sotheby’s galleries there. According to the BBC, the mementos are expected to fetch the equivalent of more than 6.8 million euros. Part of the proceeds should therefore go to a good cause.
