Despite the denials, the British press pursued the rampant rumours over the next few years, fuelled by Mercury's increasingly gaunt appearance, Queen's absence from touring, and reports from former lovers to various tabloid journals – by 1990 the rumours about Mercury's health were rife. Around that time, Mercury claimed in an interview to have tested negative for HIV.
Not only does Freddie's legacy live on as one of rock 'n' roll's greatest icons, but also as an incredible, kind, and spirited human being who has been sorely missed in the thirty years since his untimely passing.According to his partner Jim Hutton, Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS shortly after Easter of 1987. "However, the time has now come for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth, and I hope everyone will join with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease."
"I felt it correct to keep this information private in order to protect the privacy of those around me." The tragic press statement he released when announced his AIDS diagnosis read: "Following enormous conjecture in the press, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS." The Freddie Mercury tribute concert: A guide to the greatest gig of the ‘90s.Freddie Mercury's death: Longtime assistant shares beautiful untold stories of the star's final days.(Photo by Rogers/Express/Getty Images).Īfter returning from a trip to Switzerland in November 1991, Freddie made the finite decision to stop taking his medication.ĭespite his continued struggles, however, he tried his utmost to protect the people that were dearest to him up until the very last day of his life. Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was one of rock music's greatest entertainers and showmen. Peter went on to say: "I’m sure Freddie had an idea what the doctor was going to say, so didn’t want to hear the diagnosis." It was eventually Mary that persuaded Freddie to get properly diagnosed after a mark on his hand began to worsen. "You must remember in those days it really was a death sentence, it still is today, but now the end can be put off." "He might have thought he was infected, but again, like many of us, he put it to the back of his mind, thinking ‘it won’t happen to me’." "Freddie knew about the HIV/AIDS virus appearing around the world, and knew of friends dying from the disease, so obviously that played on his mind." recalled Peter. Though, it is understood he was diagnosed several years earlier having ignored his symptoms for some time. (Photo by Dave Hogan/Getty Images).īrian, Roger Taylor, John Deacon, his personal assistant Peter Freestone, and his former partner Mary Austin were just a handful of people who Freddie trusted to open about his secret. It was Freddie's 'one true love' Mary Austin that persuaded him to seek a diagnosis for his illness. "And I said, 'I'm not upset, Freddie, except to realise you have to put up with all this terrible pain'", May remembered, as he described his final years with Freddie in an interview with The Sunday Times in 2017. And he said, 'Oh Brian, I'm sorry I've upset you by showing you that'." "The problem was actually his foot, and tragically there was very little left of it.
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