Mary Austin, the longtime companion and heir to Freddie Mercury, has called “unlikely” new claims that the Queen frontman fathered a daughter she never knew about.
The allegation surfaced ahead of the release of Love, Freddie, a book by British journalist Lesley-Ann Jones. In it, a woman identified only as “B” claims to be Mercury’s daughter and says she holds 17 of his personal diaries.
In interviews with British media, Austin said she would be “stunned” if Mercury had a child unknown to her. She also questioned the existence of the diaries, saying she never saw the singer keep such records during their years together.
According to the author, “B” was born in 1976 after Mercury allegedly had an affair with a friend’s wife. The woman says she remained in contact with Mercury until his death in 1991. The book is scheduled for publication next month.
Queen guitarist Brian May has not publicly commented. His wife, actress Anita Dobson, has expressed doubts similar to Austin’s. “B” told reporters she was hurt by Austin’s remarks questioning her story.
Jones says a DNA test was part of the book’s research, but the results have not been made public. “B” says the data is private but “legally verified.” The authenticity of the diaries has not been independently confirmed.
Mercury remains a music icon in the United States, where Queen’s hits still dominate radio playlists and streaming charts. The 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody introduced his life and work to a new generation of Americans. Any evidence of a direct heir—or a cache of personal writings—could influence the way fans, historians, and rights holders understand his legacy.
Background: Mary Austin met Freddie Mercury in the early 1970s. They lived together for several years and remained close after ending their romantic relationship. When Mercury died in 1991, he left her a significant share of his estate, including his London home.
