Here's the story behind Freddie Mercury’s relationships with Mary Austin and Jim Hutton

By Daphne Buenaflor

Nov 10, 2018

09:18 A.M.

With the Queen Biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody” making headlines, more people have been interested with the late Freddie Mercury’s relationships, specifically, with Mary Austin and Jim Hutton.

Austin and Hutton were both considered as Mercury’s greatest loves. They both had a significant impact on his life until his death in 1991.

MEETING MARY AUSTIN

Austin was only 19 years old when she met then-24-year-old Mercury in 1969 at an English boutique called Biba. Mercury was still just an aspiring musician then, but Austin found herself awestruck by the late rock star.

Speaking with the Daily Mail in 2013, she explained, “He was like no one I had met before. He was very confident—something I have never been. We grew together.”

It wasn’t long before they started dating and eventually, in 1973, Mercury proposed to her. Of course, Austin said yes.

MERCURY AND AUSTIN’S CLOSE RELATIONSHIP

Unfortunately, they called off the engagement after Mercury confessed to Austin that he was bisexual. Even though they broke up, they still managed to become great and close friends.

In fact, Mercury had purchased a home for her and kept saying good things about her in public even after they ended their romantic relationship.

“All my lovers asked me why they couldn’t replace Mary, but it’s simply impossible. The only friend I’ve got is Mary, and I don’t want anybody else. To me, she was my common-law wife. To me, it was a marriage. We believe in each other, that’s enough for me,” said Mercury in an interview in 1985.

When Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS, Austin never left his side and took care of him. Despite being in a relationship with Hutton, Mercury gave much of his estate to Austin, including his mansion in London called the Garden Lodge.

Also, Austin was the one who scattered his cremated remains in a secret location as per Mercury’s wish.

MEETING JIM HUTTON

Irish man Hutton was a hairdresser who first met Mercury at a gay bar in the 80’s, as revealed by him in an interview with the Times of London in 2006. He also said that it wasn’t love-at-first-sight.

Mercury offered to buy Hutton a drink that night, which he declined. At the time, he didn’t recognize Mercury. Their next meeting was a year and a half later at a nightclub. Once again, Mercury offered to buy him a drink again. Finally, Hutton accepted it.

When they started dating, Hutton still kept his job as a hairdresser. Less than a year later, he moved in with Mercury at the Garden Lodge.

UPS AND DOWNS IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP

During the first few years, Mercury never publicly came out, and Hutton said he wasn’t bothered by it at all. Although, they faced quite a few bumps along the way.

Speaking with the Times, he recalled, “I saw him with another guy in Heaven, and we had a huge row. He told me he did it to make me jealous. Then one day I saw him leaving his Kensington flat with another guy, and we had an argument. I told him he had to make his mind up.”

Hutton was always supportive of Mercury and was always proud of his achievements. He even witnessed Queen’s most classic Live Aid performance in 1985. He was watching the show from backstage at the time.

“I was gobsmacked. You could feel the effect his stage presence had on the crowd. Afterwards Elton [John] came and said, ‘Bastard, you’ve stolen it,’” he shared.

When Mercury is not in the spotlight, Hutton said he was always quiet and more reserved, which was far from what he was like when he performed.

“He loved his cats. I’d get in from work. We’d lie together on the sofa. He would massage my feet and ask about my day,” he said.

Hutton and Mercury’s relationship lasted for seven years until his death. According to reports, Austin kicked Hutton out of the Garden Lodge after Mercury passed away. Hutton claimed that the Queen frontman wanted him to remain in the mansion.

Hutton was beyond upset by what happened. Still, Mercury left him almost a million dollars, which he used to move back to Ireland.

On January 1, 2010, Hutton passed away at 60 years old after battling cancer.

“BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY”

The movie has been well-received so far after it premiered on November 2, 2018. Actor Rami Malek played the role of Freddie Mercury.

Much of Mercury’s life was covered in the film, including the moment he changed his last name from Bulsara to Mercury.