11 Jul Family in £3 million feud

Freddie Mercury’s family are locked in a £3 million battle with his ex-partner, Mary Austin, over the Queen legend’s treasured possessions.

The singer, who died in 1991, left most of his estate to Mary, his former fiancée and long-time confidante, including his home and personal belongings. Last year, Mary sparked controversy by putting hundreds of Freddie’s items up for auction, including handwritten lyrics, stage costumes, and furniture from his home, Garden Lodge.

The decision infuriated Freddie’s family, who felt many of the items should have stayed within the family or gone to a museum. Determined to reclaim some of his most personal effects, they made a series of anonymous bids during the auction, which raised over £40 million in total.

Freddie’s sister, Kashmira Bulsara, reportedly attended a private viewing with her son Jamal and a PA to decide which pieces to target.

Despite the emotional and financial effort, many key items ended up with private collectors around the world. The rift between Mary and Freddie’s family has only deepened as a result, with insiders calling the situation “deeply painful” and still far from resolved.