The Times article
This article was published by The Times, de day after Freddie Mercury died
Headline: Rock star Mercury dies of Aids at 45;Freddie Mercury
Source: The Times
Issue Date: Monday November 25, 1991
Byline: By Jenny Knight and Tim Miles
Edition: 3*
Story Text:
FREDDIE Mercury, the lead singer of the rock music group Queen,
died at his home in west London, last night.is death at the age of 45 came
the day after he admitted that he was suffering from Aids, following months
of speculation in the press about his worsening health. Mercury's parents,
Bomi and Jer Bulsara were rushed to his Pounds 5 million mansion in
Kensington from their home in Feltham, west London, to be at his bedside
when he died. Also there was his doctor, Gordon Atkinson. The singer's
death was announced by the group's press spokeswoman, Roxy Meade. She said
in a statement last night: ``Freddie Mercury died peacefully this evening at
his home. His death was the result of broncho-pneumonia, brought on by
Aids.'' Mercury is to be cremated in a private ceremony. The singer had
issued a statement on Saturday about his illness, saying that he wanted to
put the record straight ``for my friends and fans around the world''. In the
statement he said: ``Following the enormous conjecture in the press, I wish
to confirm that I have been tested HIV-positive and have Aids. I felt it
correct to keep this information private to date in order to protect the
privacy of those around me.'' He added: ``I hope that everyone will join
with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this
terrible disease.'' Mercury amassed a huge fortune and attracted thousands
of fans but he had lived in growing seclusion since he became ill and in
recent months had been virtually a recluse. He admitted shortly before his
death that he was desperately lonely. He said: ``You can have everything
in the world and still be the loneliest man and that is the most bitter type
of loneliness. Success has brought me world idolisation and millions of
pounds, but it's prevented me from having the one thing we all need a
loving, ongoing relationship.'' He never made a secret of his bisexuality
and admitted having many lovers. For the past two years he kept away from
the limelight. Neighbours occasionally saw him being helped into a limousine
to visit Harley Street specialists, and rumours about his ill health spread.
Freddie Mercury was born Farookh Bulsara in Zanzibar in September 1946, the son of
a government accountant. He was educated first at a boarding school in
Bombay. When his family returned to England he attended Ealing College of
Art. He joined Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor to form Queen in
1971. The group played to audiences all over the world with Mercury
strutting on centre stage captivating fans with his astonishing energy. His
after show parties went on for days and were legendary. Some of the
group's greatest hits were We Are The Champions, Crazy Little Thing Called
Love and Bohemian Rhapsody. Mercury enjoyed the company of women as well as
men and his longest relationship was with Mary Austin, manageress of the
fashion boutique, Biba. They remained close friends. He became godfather to
her son, Richard, in 1989. It was Mercury who wrote Bohemian Rhapsody, one
of the biggest selling singles of all time, staying at number one in Britain
for nine weeks in 1975. In 1976, all four of the group's albums released up
to that date appeared at the same time in the top 30. Mercury said of his
own and the group's success:``I always knew I was a star, and now the rest
of the world seems to agree with me.'' One of Mercury's close friends,
comedian Kenny Everett said last night: ``He burnt the candle at both ends
and in the middle.
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