Freddie Mercury has a secret daughter from a fling; first details revealed
A new biography on Freddie Mercury, leader of Queen, promises to startle the world by revealing a secret daughter.
The book, Love, Freddie, penned by renowned rock biographer Lesley-Ann Jones, shares the story of a woman, B, who claims to be the late singer's only child. Now 48 and living in Europe, B is a medical professional and a mother herself.
'His only child was conceived accidentally with the wife of one of his closest friends, while his friend was away on an extended business trip. For the Roman Catholic mother, abortion was out of the question,' Jones told the Daily Mail. Just a year after Queen's legendary hit Bohemian Rhapsody.
ALSO READ| Freddie Mercury's Yamaha Baby grand piano to be auctioned, along with belongings, at Sotheby's
The affair and the child that came from it were kept under wraps, known only to Mercury's closest inner circle, including his parents, sister, his Queen bandmates, and Mary Austin, the love of his life. Mary and Freddie were once engaged and lived together before he came out as gay. Though they never had children.
'Freddie Mercury was and is my father. We had a very close and loving relationship from the moment I was born and throughout the final 15 years of his life,' she claims in a handwritten letter published in the book.
'He adored me and was devoted to me. The circumstances of my birth may seem, by most people's standards, unusual and even outrageous. That should come as no surprise. It never detracted from his commitment to love and look after me. He cherished me like a treasured possession.'
'The three friends raised B together, and Freddie spoke to his daughter every day when he was on tour,' Jones explained to the Daily Mail.
Before his death from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991, Mercury entrusted B with 17 volumes of his personal journals, which she kept private until now.
Jones, who was approached by B three years ago, admits, 'My instinct was to doubt everything, but I am absolutely sure she is not a fantasist,' adding that B never asked for money or fame.
ALSO READ| Freddie Mercury treasure trove on show before auction
So why is B speaking out now? 'After more than three decades of lies, speculation and distortion, it is time to let Freddie speak.'
'That I choose to reveal myself in my own midlife is my decision and mine alone,' B said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
31 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Edmund White – the ‘godfather of gay literature'– is no more: 6 books you should read
Edmund White, the author who redefined queer literature, passed away on June 3, 2025, at the age of 85. A prolific writer, White penned over 30 books, including autobiographical novels and biographies, that captured the complexities of gay life with wit, sensuality, and emotional depth. His work chronicled everything from the liberating hedonism of pre-AIDS New York to the devastating losses of the epidemic, cementing his legacy as one of the most important gay writers of the 20th and 21st centuries. White wrote fearlessly, blending high literary style with raw, often explicit accounts of desire and identity. Below is a guide to some of his most essential books. 1. A Boy's Own Story (1982) A semi-autobiographical coming-of-age novel that became a cornerstone of gay literature. Set in 1950s America, A Boy's Own Story follows an unnamed teenager grappling with his homosexuality in a repressive, homophobic society. White's protagonist is introspective and conflicted, simultaneously drawn to and ashamed of his desires. The novel captures the loneliness of adolescence as the boy navigates fraught relationships with his distant father, troubled mother, and a series of older men who both fascinate and confuse him. What makes this novel canonical is its refusal to sanitise the queer experience. The protagonist is neither a victim nor a hero but a complex, sometimes selfish young man trying to understand himself. White turns personal memory into something universally resonant. A Boy's Own Story remains one of the most influential coming-out novels ever written. 2. The Farewell Symphony (1997) An elegiac novel about gay life before and during the AIDS crisis. Named after Haydn's symphony (in which musicians leave the stage one by one until only silence remains), The Farewell Symphony is the final installment in White's autobiographical trilogy. It follows an unnamed narrator—a stand-in for White—through the sexual liberation of the 1970s and the devastation of AIDS in the 1980s and '90s. The novel is both a celebration and a eulogy, capturing the hedonistic freedom of pre-AIDS New York and Fire Island, where sex and art intertwined effortlessly. But as friends and lovers begin to die, the tone shifts to one of mourning and survivor's guilt. White's ability to balance humor, eroticism, and grief makes this one of his most powerful works—a definitive account of a generation lost. 3. My Lives (2005) A memoir structured thematically rather than chronologically, offering intimate glimpses into White's psyche. Instead of a linear life story, My Lives is divided into chapters such as 'My Shrinks,' 'My Hustlers,' and 'My Blonds,' each exploring a different facet of White's identity. The result is a kaleidoscopic self-portrait that is funny, self-deprecating, and unflinchingly honest. Highlights include his hilarious yet painful recollections of therapy (where psychiatrists tried to 'cure' his homosexuality), his complicated relationship with his abusive father, and his candid accounts of sexual escapades. What makes My Lives so compelling is White's refusal to conform to conventional memoir tropes. 4. Genet: A Biography (1993) A masterful biography of the infamous French writer and criminal-turned-literary-icon. White spent seven years researching Jean Genet, the gay outlaw whose novels (Our Lady of the Flowers, The Thief's Journal) glorified theft, betrayal, and queer desire. The biography is both a meticulous study of Genet's life and a meditation on the intersections of art, transgression, and politics. White's deep empathy for his subject shines through, particularly in passages about Genet's impoverished childhood and later activism for the Black Panthers and Palestinians. The book won critical acclaim and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, solidifying White's reputation as a formidable biographer. 5. The Joy of Gay Sex (1977, co-authored with Charles Silverstein) A sex manual that celebrated gay desire without shame. Written before the AIDS crisis, The Joy of Gay Sex was an affirming guide that treated homosexuality not as a pathology but as a source of pleasure and connection. Covering everything from cruising to BDSM, it combined practical advice with White's elegant prose, making it both useful and literary. Though some sections are dated (particularly in light of HIV), the book remains a fascinating artifact of a freer era. It was one of the first mainstream books to discuss gay sexuality openly, paving the way for future queer writers. 6. The Married Man (2000) A heartbreaking novel about love, mortality, and the lingering scars of AIDS. Loosely based on White's relationship with his partner Hubert Sorin (who died of AIDS in 1994), The Married Man follows Austin, an American writer in Paris, as he falls for Julien, a married French architect. Their romance is sadly shadowed by Julien's declining health. White's novel, unlike most AIDS narratives, is unsentimental yet deeply moving. He captures the small, everyday intimacies of love alongside the bureaucratic horrors of illness such as hospital visits, insurance battles, the slow erosion of a body. It is one of his most emotionally resonant works.
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Nutella unveils its first-ever new flavor in 60 years: Here's when it will hit U.S. shelves
Nutella is making history with the launch of its first-ever new flavor in six decades. Since debuting in 1964, the beloved hazelnut spread has become a household favorite worldwide, known for its signature taste and loyal fan base. Despite its massive popularity, Nutella has never officially launched a new flavor—until now, marking a major moment for the iconic brand. Also Read: Hooters announces shutdown of over 30 restaurants: See full list of which locations closed In a press statement earlier this week, Ferraro, the parent company, revealed a new Peanut Nutella flavor. The company called the new flavour 'a bold yet natural evolution for a product rooted in tradition but ready to surprise,' adding that it 'combines the distinctive creaminess of Nutella cocoa hazelnut spread with the delicious taste of roasted peanuts,' as reported by the Daily Mail. The Chicago Tribune revealed that the production of the new product will also begin in the US at its Franklin Park and Ferraro will 'invest $75 million in the plant'. This will also generate new job opportunities. Seth Gonzalez, Nutella's senior director of marketing, clarified that the new product should not be mistaken for peanut butter. He told Tribune, 'We didn't want it to be another peanut butter; there's a reason why cocoa is still connected as a peanut-and-cocoa formula, instead of just peanuts.' Also Read: One Piece LEGO sets inspired by live-action series officially revealed: Release date, preorders, and full set list The new Nutella spread is set to hit U.S. store shelves by spring 2026—but there's a catch. Despite global excitement, the new flavor will be available exclusively in the United States. Michael Lindsay, who is the President and Chief Business Officer of Ferrero North America, shared, 'Developing Nutella and Ferrero Rocher products specifically for the North American market represents a defining moment in our company's history,' as reported by the Daily Mail. He added that these new products are designed to connect with both 'loyal fans' and 'new consumers', strengthening Ferrero's leading position in North America
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Steve Jobs' daughter Eve to tie the knot with British Olympian Harry Charles: Likely date, venue and more
Eve Jobs, the youngest daughter of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs and and his wife, Laurene Powell, is set to tie the knot with British Olympian Harry Charles in a grand countryside wedding in the UK this August, according to a report by Daily Mail. The 26-year-old model and equestrian will host the ceremony in the Cotswolds — a scenic region in England popular with celebrities, including David and Victoria Beckham. While the exact date of the wedding is yet to be revealed, preparations are already underway for what is being described as a 'wedding of the year'–style celebration. Steve Jobs' daughter's wedding: Guest list As per the report, the guest list for Eve Jobs' wedding includes names of billionaires, politicians, and possibly even minor royalty. Among the confirmed names are Jennifer Gates, daughter of Bill Gates and a close friend of Eve, and former US Vice President Kamala Harris, who shares a long-standing friendship with Eve's mother, Laurene Powell Jobs. Where will they tie the knot As per the report, Eve Jobs and Harry Charles are set to tie the knot in the Cotswolds, a picturesque region in south-central England known for its rolling hills and quaint villages. Located about an hour from Oxford, the area has long been a preferred retreat for the wealthy and well-known, with celebrities like David and Victoria Beckham among its prominent residents. The couple's wedding is expected to be a lavish affair in keeping with the region's reputation for exclusivity and charm. Eve Jobs relationship with Harry Charles Eve, who made her runway debut in 2021 with fashion label Coperni, went public with her relationship with Harry Charles during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Charles, a professional show jumper, was part of the British team that won gold in show jumping at the Summer Games. The couple's shared passion for equestrian sports has been a significant aspect of their bond. Eve, an accomplished equestrian herself, was ranked among the top five riders under 25 in 2019 . OnePlus Pad 3 Unboxing and first look: What's in the box?
