When we think of Freddie Mercury, the iconic Queen frontman, Mary Austin is one such name which comes into the mind. Mary, the one known as Mercury’s muse, compatriot and companion of a lifetime has always been an enigma even after his death. In addition to her connection with Freddie, people have shown interest in her life over the years due to her wealth. How did Mary Austin Net Worth? In this article, you will get to know everything related to Mary Austin’s money as well as her personal life with Freddie Mercury and the fortune she inherited after his death.
Who Is Mary Austin?
But before we get to her net worth, let’s first explore who Mary Austin is and what significance she has in pop culture. The daughter of a working class family, she was born in London in 1951. She had a romantic relationship with Freddie Mercury since the early 1970s. Late in his life, they still stayed close to each other even after their romantic relationship ended and Freddie referred to Mary as his common law wife.
As Freddie Mercury once admitted, Mary took care of us for 20 years, all the others say they will do anything to get with me. Mary knows the only thing he is a friend and does not address anyone else. She was my de facto wife. You were just a skeleton idea who didn’t make it. To me, it was a marriage.
Mary Austin’s Inheritance from Freddie Mercury
Another of the most Googled questions is how much money Mary Austin got in the will of Freddie Mercury. Upon Mercury’s death in 1991, he left a large part of his estate to Mary Austin, including:
Garden Lodge, his Kensington mansion
Recording royalties at 50%
Art collections and valuable antiques
How Much Did Mary Austin Inherit?
Freddie Mercury’s estate was valued at an estimated £9 million (around $ 12 million) when the rock legend died. Queen’s music royalties were also increasing in value. Mercury (pictured) left Mary half of these royalties upon his death which has since provided her with significant income due to the continued commercial success of Queen’s music, particularly after the release of the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody IN 2018 reignited interest in the band worldwide
Mary Austin Net Worth
And so, how much is Mary Austin worth in 2021? With so many revenue streams in place, it is impossible to get an exact figure. But as of the recent update in 2024, Mary Austin had a net worth of $100 to 150 million. This includes:
Real Estate: Property prices in central London have and as a result, the Kensington mansion is now worth millions.
Royalties: Mary still collects money from Queen’s music in what appears to be an endless motion of income. Then, years later, we will still be talking about Queen’s music a band whose hits have lived on and continue to earn meaningful royalties from streaming services and global sales.
Investments: While Mary Austin has likely made some investments over the years to give her continued rise in wealth, few details are public on that front.
Bohemian Rhapsody Movie and Monetary Consequences
Bohemian Rhapsody, the Queen Freddie Mercury biopic was a major global hit when it was released in 2018. Its box office take was more than $900 million worldwide, and the iconic band began fielding much higher royalty cheques as interest in their music picked back up. This was a further financial gain for Mary Austin, who still owns a huge chunk of his estate.
Some reckon the movie should have been worth tens of millions on its own, summing up to guaranteeing her spot as one of the financial elite.
Where Is Mary Austin Now?
Mary AustinGetty Images | John Keeble Despite her riches, Mary has always kept a very low profile. She is not ostentatious, and she does not lead a high flying public life. Family and keeping Freddie’s legacy alive is what she lives for, according to those close to her.
She has done charitable work in the years since, but she remains largely invisible in photography. Mary has since lived in Garden Lodge the house Freddie Mercury bequeathed her and subsequently turned into a sort of unofficial shrine for Queen fans around the world. He continues to get visitors to leave him messages and pay tribute outside the mansion.
How Mary Austin Makes Money Today?
To this day, Mary Austin still receives a healthy income from Queen along with royalties and property investments. As one of the most successful rock bands in the world, Queen songs are still being licensed for films, TV shows and commercial use today. What is more, due to modern day streaming services like Spotify, and Apple Music, the songs of Queen are being played by millions every month, leading to continued royalties. Plus there are merchandise, re releases and tribute tours which only add to the pool of income Mary still benefits from.
Mary Austin’s Relationship with Freddie Mercury’s Family
One of the Frequently asked questions about Mary Austin is that how are his relations with Freddie Mercury’s biological family. When the bulk of Mercury’s estate was bequeathed to Mary, his parents and sister reportedly contested the will. There is no official word that this caused a tear in the family, it seems as if Freddie’s wishes were met by his family and there does not appear to be any major public fallout between them.
How Has Mary Austin Managed Her Wealth?
It is quite evident, that Mary Austin has done prudent wealth management of the fortune she inherited. She has gone against the grain and stayed out of the spotlight (except on her terms), and that decision, second to leading a relatively less extravagant lifestyle compared to many people with similar net worths, has likely kept her off the many landmines where other wealthy individuals tread. Her choice to shy away from theatres and live a more subdued life has probably aided her bottom line significantly.
Conclusion
Freddie Mercury’s legacy is Mary Austin, and so, by definition of the history written in blood on her bank balance to this day. Thanks to her inheritance and continued commercial success with Queen, her net worth is estimated at $100 to 150 million. All this time of her great riches, Mary elected to remain silent in the most courteous way, managing to stay a good life with the Estate that Freddie bequeathed to her. Mary Austin reminds us that fortune does not always equate to excess. In the case of Mary, as another example which in turn makes it a private ideal example this can result in a long life filled with quiet dignity largely out of the limelight and all to uphold what remains one of rock’s immortal legacies.
Read More: Eddie Murphy Net Worth: How He Built His $200 Million Fortune
