Freddie Mercury's closest love was never discussed at home

Mary Austin kept her life with Freddie Mercury private from her sons for many years.

Mary was once Freddie’s girlfriend, and the two stayed very close even after their relationship ended.

They remained important to each other until Freddie died in 1991.

Freddie left Mary his home, Garden Lodge, along with half of his fortune. But her sons, Richard and James, did not fully understand the story behind their family home when they were young.

Mary said, “They knew nothing about Queen, because I never told them. I never told them about Freddie.”

She explained that she did not want her sons to grow up thinking about Freddie’s fame.

She wanted them to have a normal childhood and make their own lives.

Talking about Freddie was also very painful for Mary. She said she would often become emotional whenever his name came up.

Her son Jamie said he already knew Freddie was important to his mother. He also understood why she did not want to talk about him.

Jamie said the family slowly began speaking about Freddie years later.

He now has a much better understanding of what his mother went through after losing someone she loved so deeply.

For Mary and her sons, Freddie’s memory was always there. It simply took many years before they could openly talk about it.