Long before Mary Austin became known as the “one true love” immortalized in Queen’s legend, she was the object of affection for another band member: guitarist Brian May. Now, six decades after those early college concerts, May has opened up about his brief romance with Mary—and how it ultimately paved the way for her iconic partnership with frontman Freddie Mercury.
A Chance Meeting at Imperial College
In the late 1960s, Brian May was a shy physics student at Imperial College London when he first spotted Mary Austin in the audience at a concert.
“She was sitting behind me at a concert,” May recalled in the 2000 documentary Freddie Mercury: The Untold Story. Summoning his courage, he asked her out.
Their romance was low-key and brief—few casual dates, a quick peck on the cheek, and polite goodnights. It never progressed beyond friendship, but the encounter left a lasting impression.
Freddie Seizes the Moment
By the time Queen signed their first major record deal with Warner Bros., Freddie Mercury had already met Mary through band social circles. May remembers the pivotal day Freddie approached him.
“Strangely enough, Mary was the girl that I picked out as somebody fabulous, and I was kind of going out with her,” May told Yahoo! Music in 2017. Then Freddie asked, “Are you serious with Mary? Can I ask her out?”
Ever the gentleman, May agreed to introduce them—unaware this moment would change the course of rock history.
Seven Years of Fierce Devotion
Mercury and Austin went on to share seven intense years together. When Mercury came to terms with his sexuality, their romantic relationship ended, but their bond only deepened. In his will, Mercury famously left Mary the bulk of his estate, saying,
“You would have been my wife, and it would have been yours anyway.”
Even during his final years with partner Jim Hutton, Mary remained his closest confidante.
A Legacy Torn Between Love and Litigation
Freddie’s decision to bequeath his fortune to Mary sparked decades of disputes with his sister, Kashmira Bulsara. The most recent conflict erupted in September 2023, when Mary auctioned many of Freddie’s personal items—prompting Kashmira to buy them back. The sale stunned many of Freddie’s surviving friends. Brian May admitted on Instagram that he “can’t look” at the memorabilia leaving Graceland West (Queen’s Los Angeles studio), calling the auction “too sad.”
Still Connected Through Queen’s Earnings
Mary’s inheritance included an 18.75% stake in Queen Productions, the company managing the band’s extensive catalog. This ownership ensures Mary’s continuing influence over Freddie’s legacy—a poignant echo of her unique place in his life.
From College Crush to Lifelong Muse
Brian May’s candid confession of a teenage crush he gracefully relinquished sheds fresh light on Mary Austin’s extraordinary journey—from college friend to Freddie Mercury’s eternal love. It is a story of unexpected turns: one guitarist’s fleeting affection, another’s bold pursuit, and a woman whose unwavering loyalty helped shape rock history for generations to come.
