Mary Austin, the woman Freddie Mercury called his closest friend and the person he nearly married, has spoken publicly about their relationship in a series of new interviews, according to The Times and The Guardian.
The interviews, published on Saturday, August 29, 2026, offer what The Guardian describes as "the extraordinary untold story" of the Queen frontman's life, as told by Austin, who was also the inspiration for the band's hit song "Love of My Life." The Times frames the piece as a look at Austin's life with Mercury, whom she has described as the love of her life.
In the coverage, Austin reflects on her decades-long bond with Mercury, whom she met in the early 1970s and remained close to until his death in 1991. The Times notes that the two were so close that they nearly married, though Mercury later came out as gay. Austin has previously said that Mercury left her his London home and a share of his fortune.
The interviews also touch on Mercury's creative process. A separate piece in The Times examines how he wrote "Bohemian Rhapsody," the six-minute epic that defied record-label expectations and became one of the best-selling singles in British history. According to that report, Mercury's theatrical vision and refusal to compromise were central to the song's creation.
The new interviews add fresh detail to a story that has been told in films and biographies, but Austin's account is notable for its personal perspective. She has rarely spoken at length about her relationship with Mercury in recent years.
What to watch next: Whether Austin's interviews signal a fuller memoir or documentary project about her life with Mercury.
