Freddie Mercury's sister 'spent £3m buying his belongings'
Freddie Mercury's sister reportedly spent £3 million buying up his belongings after they were auctioned off by his ex Mary Austin.
The Queen star - who died in 1991 aged 45 - left much of his estate including his London home and its contents to his former lover and longtime friend Mary, who sold off his possessions at auction back in 2023 and now The Sun newspaper reports Freddie's sibling Kashmira Bulsara, 73, spent millions buying up lots to keep them in the family.
A source told the publication: "Kashmira was angry and upset to see so many of her beloved brother's possessions become available for anyone to buy.
"So she went for a private viewing, anonymously .... to see which bits she wanted to try to get ...
"Kashmira watched [the auction] online and told her PA how much to bid for each item. They had set aside a huge budget so were actually very happy with the final figure laid out, despite paying well over the estimated price for each one.
"Of course, Kashmira appreciates how adored Freddie was across the world, but she was saddened to think of some of his sentimental belongings not being with his loved ones."
The newspaper reports items bought by Kashmira included a waistcoat emblazoned with portraits of Freddie's six cats which he wore in the music video for Queen's track 'These Are The Days Of Our Lives'. It sold for £139,700.
Kashmira is also said to have snapped up a Wurlitzer Model 850 jukebox (£406,400), draft lyrics for Queen song 'Killer Queen' (£279,400), a Daum Persimmons vase which had been converted into a lamp (£22,860) and a Nike sweatshirt (£40,640).
The auction is believed to have made around £40 million and Mary donated some of the proceeds to charity, with funds going to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, which was set up in the late singer's honour, and the Elton John Aids Foundation.
Mary said at the time of the sale: "The time has come for me to take the difficult decision to close this very special chapter in my life.
"I decided that it wouldn't be appropriate for me to keep things back. If I was going to sell, I had to be brave and sell the lot."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
16 hours ago
- Perth Now
Rita Ora's new music celebrates her 'sexuality'
Rita Ora's new music is about celebrating her "sexuality". The British pop star has just dropped her sizzling summer single Heat - the music video for which goes live at 5pm BST Friday (06.06.25) - and has explained that she wanted to embrace her womanhood and be "carefree and fun" after getting deep about married life to filmmaker spouse Taika Waititi on last album, You and I. Rita, 34, told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column: 'I wanted to really celebrate my sexuality and the way I am as a woman. 'My last album was so different, it was about my love life and getting married. 'But with this next lot of music I wanted it to be so carefree and back to how I was coming up in the industry. 'I wanted to celebrate everything I have become. 'It's not super deep, just fun.' The 'Hot Right Now' hitmaker has been living in married bliss with Taika, 49, for three years now, and she insists she has never had a "type" and encourages her single pals to be open to everyone. She gushed: "I feel in a really great happy place right now." Rita added: 'I have never really had a type, I have never really thought of it like that. 'It's always been about the person. 'I've never cancelled anyone out as they don't fit my perfect list of what I think's perfect. 'You don't really know until you meet someone who takes you by surprise. Being open may surprise you. "That would be my advice. 'It's helped a lot of my friends and now I see them and they are really happy, but admit they'd have never gone for that person.' Stream Heat now on all major platforms.
The Advertiser
21 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Soccer legend David Beckham to receive a knighthood
David Beckham is to receive a knighthood. The former England player celebrated his 50th birthday on May 2, and on Thursday it was revealed that he will be confirmed as Sir in The King's Birthday Honours list next week. David has been married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham - with whom he has Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and 13-year-old Harper Seven - since 1999 and The Sun also reported she will become known as Lady Victoria Beckham once her husband is knighted. According to the outlet, David "narrowly missed out" on receiving a knighthood in 2024, and the honour instead went to former England manager Gareth Southgate. In 2003, he was given an OBE by Queen Elizabeth for services to football. The former Premier League star has a long history of charitable work, which Honours Committee officials will have considered before deciding to bestow him with the honour. At the time, he said: "I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. "I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. In 2024, David was made an ambassador for The King's Foundation- which aims to teach and demonstrate in practice those principles of traditional urban design and architecture - and at the time he admitted that it was an "inspiring" experience for him. He said: "Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. "It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips." Prior to that, he worked with the Chelsea Pensioners amid the COVID-19 lockdowns and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador more than two decades ago. David Beckham is to receive a knighthood. The former England player celebrated his 50th birthday on May 2, and on Thursday it was revealed that he will be confirmed as Sir in The King's Birthday Honours list next week. David has been married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham - with whom he has Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and 13-year-old Harper Seven - since 1999 and The Sun also reported she will become known as Lady Victoria Beckham once her husband is knighted. According to the outlet, David "narrowly missed out" on receiving a knighthood in 2024, and the honour instead went to former England manager Gareth Southgate. In 2003, he was given an OBE by Queen Elizabeth for services to football. The former Premier League star has a long history of charitable work, which Honours Committee officials will have considered before deciding to bestow him with the honour. At the time, he said: "I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. "I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. In 2024, David was made an ambassador for The King's Foundation- which aims to teach and demonstrate in practice those principles of traditional urban design and architecture - and at the time he admitted that it was an "inspiring" experience for him. He said: "Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. "It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips." Prior to that, he worked with the Chelsea Pensioners amid the COVID-19 lockdowns and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador more than two decades ago. David Beckham is to receive a knighthood. The former England player celebrated his 50th birthday on May 2, and on Thursday it was revealed that he will be confirmed as Sir in The King's Birthday Honours list next week. David has been married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham - with whom he has Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and 13-year-old Harper Seven - since 1999 and The Sun also reported she will become known as Lady Victoria Beckham once her husband is knighted. According to the outlet, David "narrowly missed out" on receiving a knighthood in 2024, and the honour instead went to former England manager Gareth Southgate. In 2003, he was given an OBE by Queen Elizabeth for services to football. The former Premier League star has a long history of charitable work, which Honours Committee officials will have considered before deciding to bestow him with the honour. At the time, he said: "I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. "I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. In 2024, David was made an ambassador for The King's Foundation- which aims to teach and demonstrate in practice those principles of traditional urban design and architecture - and at the time he admitted that it was an "inspiring" experience for him. He said: "Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. "It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips." Prior to that, he worked with the Chelsea Pensioners amid the COVID-19 lockdowns and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador more than two decades ago. David Beckham is to receive a knighthood. The former England player celebrated his 50th birthday on May 2, and on Thursday it was revealed that he will be confirmed as Sir in The King's Birthday Honours list next week. David has been married to former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham - with whom he has Brooklyn, 26, Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20, and 13-year-old Harper Seven - since 1999 and The Sun also reported she will become known as Lady Victoria Beckham once her husband is knighted. According to the outlet, David "narrowly missed out" on receiving a knighthood in 2024, and the honour instead went to former England manager Gareth Southgate. In 2003, he was given an OBE by Queen Elizabeth for services to football. The former Premier League star has a long history of charitable work, which Honours Committee officials will have considered before deciding to bestow him with the honour. At the time, he said: "I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. "I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programmes and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. In 2024, David was made an ambassador for The King's Foundation- which aims to teach and demonstrate in practice those principles of traditional urban design and architecture - and at the time he admitted that it was an "inspiring" experience for him. He said: "Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. "It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips." Prior to that, he worked with the Chelsea Pensioners amid the COVID-19 lockdowns and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador more than two decades ago.
Herald Sun
21 hours ago
- Herald Sun
David Beckham to be awarded knighthood after string of near misses for more than a decade, football news
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News. David Beckham is to finally be awarded a knighthood, The Sun can reveal. The footie legend, 50, will become a 'Sir' in the King's Birthday Honours list next week. His Spice Girl wife Victoria will be known as Lady Beckham. Ex-England and Man United star Becks has longed for a knighthood for years, according to The Sun. The news will also bring some joy to the Beckham household amid a rift with their eldest son Brooklyn and his wife Nicola Peltz. Watch the biggest Aussie sports & the best from overseas LIVE on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Politicians and fellow sports stars have spent years calling for the man known as 'Golden Balls' to receive a knighthood. The father of four — who played 115 times for England and has made major contributions to charity — has struck up a firm friendship with King Charles. And the monarch dropped a potential hint last month that his wait was coming to an end. Countryside-loving Becks, who is an ambassador of The King's Foundation, was seen greeting Charles and Queen Camilla at the Chelsea Flower Show. David Beckham will be knighted. Image: Getty Coveted honour He shares a passion for horticulture with Charles and sported the King's rose in his lapel. Charles asked him: 'You got it, didn't you?' Becks replied: 'It was incredible, thank you. It was very kind.' Letters inviting recipients to accept honours are sent out weeks in advance – and one may have already landed on David's mat at the time of their chat. He was first put forward for a knighthood in 2011 after helping to secure the London 2012 Olympics. But he was blocked from getting the title by the Honours Committee after becoming caught up in a tax avoidance scheme, along with many other stars. Becks retired from playing in 2013, and his finances were cleared by the taxman at least four years ago – paving the way for him to finally get the coveted honour. Many thought it would finally come in 2022, after he spent 13 hours queuing with the public to pay his respects at Queen Elizabeth's coffin, which lay in state in Westminster. But he was again left waiting for the honour. The Sun understands he narrowly missed out on a knighthood in the New Year Honours List published in December last year. David Beckham wearing a David Austin Roses "King's Rose" speaks with King Charles III at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. (Photo by Paul Grover –) Former England football manager Gareth Southgate got the award. David had been given an OBE in 2003 for services to football. He received it from Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, watched by proud Victoria, sons Brooklyn and Romeo, and his grandparents. David and his wife — who shot to fame with the Spice Girls before becoming a successful fashion designer — have an estimated combined net worth of more than $1 million. David also has a long history of charitable work, which will have been considered by officials on the Honours Committee. Last year, he was formally made a charity ambassador by the King, and beekeeper Becks was buzzing with excitement at teaming up with him. Charles invited Beckham to Highgrove to learn more about the charity, which focuses on 'creating better communities where people, places and the planet can coexist in harmony'. Tours of the grounds help to fund workshops and courses in traditional skills and crafts, and the former footie star met woodworking and embroidery students. Becks said at the time: 'I'm excited to be working with The King's Foundation and to have the opportunity to help raise awareness of the charity's work. 'I've always been keen to help young people to expand their horizons and I'm particularly looking forward to supporting the Foundation's education programs and its efforts to ensure young people have greater access to nature. David Beckham is one of the all-time footballing greats. (Photo by) 'Having developed a love for the countryside I'm also on a personal mission to learn more about rural skills which is so central to the Foundation's work. 'It was inspiring to hear from The King about the work of His Majesty's Foundation during my recent visit to Highgrove Gardens — and compare beekeeping tips.' In 2020, he teamed up with the Chelsea Pensioners as he backed The Sun's campaign to save the Poppy Appeal amid the devastating Covid lockdown. He said he was 'in awe' of the veterans as he delivered poppies to their London HQ. David added: 'With another lockdown coming it is more important than ever that we support our veterans.' Becks, also dad to son Cruz and daughter Harper, has carried out lots of charity work focusing on children, and was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador 20 years ago. To mark his 50th birthday last month he appealed for donations for the charity. The Beckham family from far left, Romeo, Cruz, Victoria, Harper, David and Brooklyn. Picture: Instagram He was also a founding member of the leadership council of charity Malaria No More in 2009, helping to eradicate the disease, even visiting No 10 to highlight the issue. In 2023, he delighted the Brentford Penguins – a football team for children with Down's syndrome — with a visit to celebrate them winning one of The Sun's Who Cares Wins awards. He took footballing son Romeo with him to lead a surprise training session. David celebrated his 50th last month with a string of parties, though Brooklyn stayed away. The honours will be formally announced later this month. The government does not comment on them beforehand. This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission. Originally published as David Beckham to be awarded knighthood after string of near misses
