Freddie Mercury, the iconic frontman of Queen, documented significant moments in his life through a series of diaries, which he began writing on June 20, 1976. This revelation comes from the newly released biography “Love, Freddie,” co-authored by rock biographer Lesley-Ann Jones and a woman known only as B. On the same day on which he started journaling, Mercury found out, to his surprise, that he was pregnant. The scandal was triggered by a love relationship with his best buddy’s spouse.
Indeed, just two days before he began his diaries, Queen unleashed their signature smash “You’re My Best Friend.” This song is from their masterwork 1975 release “A Night at the Opera.” The timing of these events could not be better, as they foreshadow a truly transformative time in Mercury’s life, both professionally and personally.
Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar on September 5, 1946, Freddie Mercury had an earthquake and a hurricane for a childhood. His family comes from a line of Parsi-Indians. In 1964, escaping the revolution, they found refuge first in London and then moved to Middlesex, a north-west London borough. Mercury’s experience at this British-style boarding school in India would be a great influence on his artistic maturation and eventual cosmopolitan pursuits.
The diaries not only chronicle Mercury’s relationships but reflect on his early life, including memories from his childhood in Zanzibar. The affair that led to the unexpected child was supposedly unplanned—a detail that darkens his otherwise colorful character with an air of tragedy.
Mercury was able to produce songs up until his health started to fail, with his last diary entry written July 31, 1991. By this point, he was dealing with major health issues due to AIDS, which resulted in his death later in the year.
B made all the intel from these diaries public so that Jones could see them. They touted the significance of exposing Mercury’s secrets after years of speculation.
“After more than three decades of lies, speculation and distortion, it is time to let Freddie speak.” – B
Jones said she was pretty sure that the claims being made about Mercury’s daughter were real.
“My instinct was to doubt everything, but I am absolutely sure she is not a fantasist.” – Lesley-Ann Jones
The biography sheds new light on Mercury’s complex life, offering fans an intimate glimpse into his thoughts and feelings during pivotal moments. It challenges longstanding assumptions about the legendary musician, emphasizing both his triumphs and vulnerabilities.