Brian May Reveals Freddie Mercury Asked For His Blessing to Date Mary Austin—The Untold Story

In an exclusive interview with Classic Rock, Queen guitarist Brian May shared a touching and previously untold story about his late bandmate, Freddie Mercury, and his deep bond with Mary Austin. In a candid conversation, May revealed that Freddie had asked for his permission before pursuing a romantic relationship with Mary, a gesture that underscores the deep level of respect and friendship they shared.

The Early Days: A Friendship Turned into Romance

As Queen’s debut album, Queen I, gets a reissue as a box set, fans are treated to a treasure trove of never-before-seen photos, demos, and even handwritten lyrics from the band’s early days. Among the precious relics is a photo taken in Freddie’s London flat on March 17, 1973. Brian May explained, “That’s taken in Freddie’s flat. He lived there with Mary [Austin, his girlfriend]. It was our first proper photo shoot.”

May went on to describe the glamorous photo shoot, which captured the essence of the early 1970s era, heavily influenced by the elegant and opulent designs from Biba, a trendy store in Kensington. “Mary was the manageress in Biba,” May recalled. “We got to borrow all this fantastic stuff, because there’s no way we could have afforded it.”

However, the real gem from this discussion came when Brian recalled a moment from his personal life that revealed the deep and unique friendship he had with both Freddie and Mary. “I actually asked Mary out at a certain point,” Brian shared, and his revelation was met with Freddie’s response: “Oh, is she with you? I’d like to ask her out.”

Without hesitation, Brian encouraged Freddie to pursue a relationship with Mary. “I said, ‘I think you should because we’re only friends really.’ And the rest is history,” Brian revealed.

A Love That Transcended Labels

Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin’s relationship was far from conventional. They met in the early 1970s, with Freddie introducing Mary to the Queen family. They lived together for several years, and their relationship endured even after Freddie’s sexuality became known. As Brian May shared, Freddie remained deeply connected to Mary, despite the complexities of his love life.

In fact, Freddie once described Mary as “the only friend I’ve got,” emphasizing the importance of their bond. “All my lovers asked me why they couldn’t replace Mary, but it’s simply impossible,” Freddie said in a 1985 interview. “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.”

Their connection was unique, with Freddie often referring to Mary as his rock. After Freddie’s passing, it was revealed that Mary had inherited most of his estate, including his mansion in Kensington, his fortune, and all his belongings—symbols of their enduring bond.

The Legacy of a Love Like No Other

For over three decades, Mary Austin held onto Freddie’s possessions, cherishing the memory of their time together. Only in recent years did she decide to part with some of these items, marking the end of an era for both her and the Queen legacy. Still, the emotional connection between Freddie and Mary remains clear, as the love they shared was truly one of a kind.

Brian May’s reflections on this poignant moment in Queen’s history shed light on the deep, unbreakable friendships that were formed during the band’s rise to global superstardom. Freddie’s respectful request to Brian for his blessing to date Mary Austin is just one example of the genuine affection and respect that existed among the members of Queen, especially between Freddie and the people who mattered most to him.

As fans, we’re reminded that while Freddie Mercury’s public persona was one of flamboyance and boundary-pushing, his private relationships were built on the foundation of love, respect, and an enduring commitment to those who truly understood him.