Freddie Mercury was widely recognized for his flamboyant and charismatic persona throughout his lifetime, which played a significant role in the success of Queen, the British rock band he belonged to. Their music dominated the mid-1970s, and several of their classic tracks are still revered today, despite Mercury’s tragic demise. Mercury, who was known for his extravagant outfits and stage performances, had also fallen in love with a woman, with whom he faced some of his greatest challenges. Though she remained hidden away for years, her tale can now be finally told.
Behind The Rise
Freddie Mercury, who was the lead singer of the famous rock group Queen, was accustomed to leading a public life and didn’t usually hide his romantic liaisons.
Although numerous famous people tend to abandon their previous lives once they achieve great success, there was a particular woman whom Freddie Mercury could never erase from his memory. Currently, over two decades after his passing, an unidentified woman has emerged from obscurity and has finally disclosed their enduring relationship.
Flipping Faces
Throughout his career, Mercury was known for his flamboyant personality, but beyond his persona as a rock star, there existed a more introspective and pensive individual who couldn’t move on from a previous romance.
Mercury was known to have multiple romantic relationships with both men and women, but it appeared that there was only one person who he felt truly comfortable depending on. Despite the public display, this individual was the only consistent supporter in Mercury’s life, from the beginning to the end.
City Of Wonder
Similar to numerous aspiring rock stars who came before him, Freddie Mercury resided in London and supported himself by overseeing a booth at Kensington Market.
Mercury got acquainted with the woman he considered to be his soulmate via Brian May, a fellow member of the band. At that time, Mercury was just 24 years old and had freshly graduated from an art school. While he, like many other young men, would drop by a local boutique to admire the staff, one particular girl had a distinct impact on him.
Apart From The Crowd
While Brian May might have been the one to discover Mary Austin at Biba, Freddie was completely captivated by her presence and felt overwhelmed by her charm, not knowing how to approach her.
Although Mercury was known for his excessive self-assurance, he appeared to be hesitant when it came to Mary. Even before Mercury had the chance to make a move towards her, Brian May took the initiative and asked her out.
Five Months Running
Freddie frequently visited the store for five long months where he found pleasure in talking with Mary. Despite this, he was always afraid to ask out the beautiful and captivating woman right in front of him.
Unfortunately, Mary and Brian’s relationship didn’t work out, but after a period of five months, Mercury took a chance and asked Mary Austin out. From that point on, the couple never regretted their decision.
Sucked Into The Wind
Freddie and Mary experienced a swift romantic relationship during their youth, which resulted in them living together only five months after they began dating.
Mercury’s musical talent was evident at the time, but he was yet to achieve the level of fame that he eventually earned, captivating millions of fans. While Freddie may have aspired for success and recognition, Mary belonged to a humble family and it was the allure of stardom, not Freddie himself, that would create friction in their relationship.
Woman Of Shadows
Despite being a constant presence in Freddie Mercury’s inner circle throughout his entire musical career, the name Mary Austin is rather plain and unremarkable.
Mary has retained her attachment to her humble working-class beginnings, long after Freddie’s passing. Her parents, both of whom were deaf, held jobs as a wallpaper trimmer and a maid for a local enterprise. Despite this, Mary’s upbringing instilled within her a stability that proved to be a valuable asset for Freddie as his profession thrived.
Sparkling Star
In an interview with Ok Magazine in 2000, Mary discussed her connection with Freddie and remarked that he stood out from anyone she had encountered. She lacked self-belief, which he exuded in abundance, and they supported each other’s growth. She fondly recalls her initial attraction to him, which evolved into something more significant.
Although he may have appeared to be the complete opposite of Mary’s timid and reserved personality in his public image, there was a certain quality about both of them that complemented one another. Mary was unaware of her significance.
Sticking To Fame
Although Freddie loved Mary, he was dedicated to pursuing a career as a musician. This required him to frequently leave for new cities like Liverpool where he believed he could advance his career.
He would always come back to her, regardless of the circumstances. Although it may have been challenging for Mary to watch Freddie rise to fame, there were always hidden depths to their relationship that others were not aware of.
Pop Goes The Question
Freddie Mercury had been in a relationship for four years and was experiencing success and popularity professionally. However, he believed that it was necessary to make progress in his personal life.
Mary shared with the Daily Mail that when she was 23, her partner gave her a large box as a Christmas present. The box contained another box inside, which led to yet another box, and so on. This was typical of her partner’s playful personality. Finally, in the smallest box, she discovered a beautiful jade ring. Mary was surprised, but happily accepted the proposal.
Creeping Inside
Despite the fact that Mary and Freddie became engaged, no specific date was set for their wedding while time was passing by. Although Mary was enthusiastic to officially commit to the rock star, she started feeling uneasy as he began to talk less about the wedding day.
Simultaneously, Mercury struggled with acknowledging his desire for sexual connections with men. Instead of confiding in Mary, he resorted to engaging in secret relationships.
Can’t Shake The Feeling
Mary reached her breaking point after having long-held suspicions about Freddie’s activities. However, she divulged that she could never muster the courage to confront him.
Later on, she disclosed that she had a feeling that the man was struggling with himself. But the reason for his conduct was something she would never have imagined if Freddie had not confessed to her about his late night activities and reluctance to engage in serious relationships.
Out With The Truth
Although 1976 marked the height of Queen’s success, it was also the period when Mercury was able to confide in Mary Austin.
Mary had doubts when Freddie sat her down and revealed that he had been hiding his attraction to both men and women from her. She suspected that Freddie was only trying to spare her feelings by disclosing this information. In response, Mary expressed her belief that Freddie was not bisexual, but rather, was exclusively attracted to men. This conversation had a significant and long-lasting effect.
Together Apart
While Mercury’s admission may have resolved the tension between the lovers, it also marked the conclusion of a period in their relationship.
Despite the magnitude of Mercury’s confession, which typically would lead most couples to part ways, Freddie and Mary remained closely tied to each other. Although Mary relocated from their shared residence, Freddie took responsibility for buying her new apartment. Despite now having the freedom to explore new relationships, Freddie still highly valued Mary’s presence in his life.
Couched And Debauched
Freddie’s true celebrity persona was revealed only after he broke up with Mary. He was eager to embrace the privileges of his fame, such as extravagant parties, which became a defining aspect of his image to those looking in from the outside.
It was difficult to determine whether the parties or the men were the catalyst, but they appeared to have a mutually reinforcing effect. Nevertheless, Mary remained waiting in the background.
The Hardest Habit
While many rock stars in the ’70s and ’80s experimented with drugs, Mercury was not the only one. However, despite his increasing use of mind-altering substances, he always had his music career to depend on.
Freddie sought the support of Mary when it appeared that the substances were dominating his life. Mary not only took care of his health, but also continued to be his steadfast friend, and often joined him on his worldwide tours, patiently waiting until the throngs of people dispersed in the background.
Flying To The Moon
According to Freddie’s biographer, Mary continued to play an important role in his life even after their romantic relationship had terminated. The biographer stated that she even accompanied Freddie and his band on tour.
According to biographer Blake, there exist backstage pictures of the two of them from concerts in the late 70s when they were no longer involved romantically. He further suggests that the man had come out as homosexual by this time. This aspect of their story is particularly intriguing, and it is worth noting that Mary was an essential individual within their circle.
Love Of My Life
Despite officially ending their relationship, Mercury found comfort in new romantic connections with other women as well as continuing to enjoy the company of men. However, Mary’s presence would occasionally cause issues and create tension with others.
Eventually, Freddie would clarify that he was unable to develop romantic feelings for a man in the same way that he did for Mary. However, he also admitted that no other woman could compare to Mary, as he still loved her and expected to spend his old age with her.
Covered By Fame
Although Freddie appeared to be consumed by his fame, in reality, he lived a pretty unremarkable existence. The one exception to this was his deep love for Mary.
He once stated that Mary was his only friend and he didn’t want anyone else. He viewed her as his common-law wife and considered their relationship to be a marriage. This belief altered the way he interacted with his other romantic partners and affected his relationship with the band.
Sweet Baby James
Despite accepting that she would never tie the knot with Freddie, Mary requested his assistance to conceive a child after their romantic separation.
Unexpectedly, Freddie refused the offer and said to her, “Although I still love you, I cannot have sexual relations with you. Instead, I prefer to have another cat.” Although Mary may have found another partner who would have children with her, Freddie was always near.
Start Spreading The News
Perhaps Mercury was honest with Mary about his sexual orientation, but the undisclosed details that he kept within himself would only accumulate.
He kept to himself the fact that there was only one thing that would ultimately lead to his death. Instead of telling Freddie directly, the news broke to Mary that he was HIV positive through a call from his doctors who had difficulty reaching Freddie.
Just A Fantasy
After the release of a high-budget biographical movie about Mercury, it has become more difficult to distinguish between reality and fiction. The depiction of Mercury’s announcement of being unwell in the movie has stirred up controversy.
During their Live Aid performance, an announcement was made about Mercury’s condition which had been kept a secret. However, in truth, Mercury had decided to wait until shortly before his death from AIDS-related medical problems to reveal his diagnosis.
With A Ring
In the last years of his life, it was widely known that Mercury was in a committed romantic relationship with a man named Jim Hutton.
Hutton had even given Freddie a ring they considered to symbolize their marriage, but no matter their feelings for one another, it was clear that Mercury’s heart was still split in two. Mercury may have been intimate with Hutton, but still, even post-diagnosis, Mary Austin was never far away. Their link would prove to have drastic consequences after his death.
Clinging To Love
In Mercury’s final moments, he was sure to surround himself with those he loved best. No one was shocked to hear that Jim Hutton was on sight when he took his last breath, but it was less publicized that Mary was also present.
Arm in arm, Mary continued to whisper to Freddie just how much she still loved him, even as she knew that zero hour was approaching. Freddie passed on, but he still left several secrets to live on within Mary…
Spark Of Green
Upon Freddie’s death, it seemed that trouble was ready to strike as soon as it was revealed that the rock legend had left a full half of his estate to Mary Austin.
The remaining members of Queen couldn’t get over the fact that Mary had been given his mansion. Even Jim Hutton’s inheritance was nothing in comparison to what Mary had received. In the years since, it seems they’ve never forgiven Mary for Freddie’s love. Still, she had another card up her sleeve.
Stuck In Time
Though Freddie has been long gone, for Mary, it seems like little has changed, except that he just isn’t a physical presence in her life anymore.
At the very least, she has the mansion Freddie left her, which she has purposely kept the same since the day he died, proving that his memory still holds a significant sway over her heart. Mary could have started over with Freddie gone, but for some reason, she has never been able to.
An Unfillable Hole
Years later, Mary reflected on how Freddie’s death had truly impacted her. She shared in a rare interview, “I lost my family, really, when Freddie died,” she said later.
“He was everything to me, apart from my sons. He was like no one I had met before.” The only thing Mary had left to hold on to was the secret Freddie had entrusted to her in his twilight days. That secret would become one of the biggest mysteries in music history…
Hidden In Heart
Before he died, Freddie Mercury asked Mary Austin to scatter his ashes, but to tell no one, not ever his surviving family members, nor his bandmates, where they had been hidden. He didn’t want his remains desecrated as some fans had done to other famous musicians.
Mary was so committed to keeping the secret that she even waited before she buried the ashes. To this day, no one has ever been able to pry the mystery from her lips.
Celebrities are a busy bunch and, sometimes, their work may affect their love life if they don’t know how to balance it all. But, what about the ones who are in it for the long haul? Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman are one such couple.
The Rise of a Star
Nicole Kidman is a talented actress. Before all the fame, though, she was just your average gal until she got the chance to appear in 1989’s Dead Calm. Before long, she made her Hollywood debut in racing film Days of Thunder, in which she starred alongside Tom Cruise.
The Men That Led Up to Keith
After her 10-year marriage to Tom Cruise ended, Kidman had gone on to date a few of her co-stars. The next man to sweep the star off her feet was Adrien Brody and there were even rumors she was having an affair with Jude Law.
She then dated Lenny Kravitz from 2003 to 2004 before engaging in a short summer with Robbie Williams. Kidman hadn’t thought about settling down again until 2005 came around — when she would meet someone special.
How They Met
Kidman and Urban met at a gala in January of 2005, where they took their first photo together (pictured below) — although the singer-songwriter didn’t call the actress for four months after the initial introduction. Obviously, it all worked out in the end, though!
According to the actress, she “was able to navigate through about five or six years and then I sort of stumbled into Keith, literally stumbled into him and in my spontaneous way, got married very quickly and we got to know each other when we were married.”
Who Felt it First?
In a 2013 interview with Ellen, Keith and Nicole discussed their relationship saying that they were unsure of who loved who first. Nicole said that it didn’t seem like love at first sight for Keith because of how long it took him to give her a call.
According to Keith, this couldn’t have been farther from the truth as he later clarified that he just didn’t want to show Nicole how much he liked her at first. This may have been a result of his self-esteem issues, in which he thought that his future wife wouldn’t reciprocate his feelings.
Nicole’s Side of the Story
In 2017, Nicole told Ellen that she wasn’t sure if Keith had any feelings for her when they had first met — especially considering the fact that after their initial meeting, four months went by before there was any contact between the two.
Kidman had said that she remembered having a massive crush on him, but he didn’t seem to be interested. We now know that isn’t true and, in fact, the two couldn’t be more in love with each other. Over the years, they’ve found many ways to keep their romance alive and fresh.
Keith’s Side of the Story
On The Oprah Winfrey Show, Keith explains how he was lovestruck the moment he laid eyes on Nicole Kidman. He told Oprah that it felt as though she was just gliding into the room and he wasn’t sure how she was doing it.
It was an out-of-the-world moment for him, especially when he found a split-second opening that allowed him to speak to Kidman for the first time. He would later receive her number from someone but it would take a while before he called her.
Gathering Up the Courage
Urban opened up saying that he had Nicole’s number for a while before he actually called her. He contemplated whether or not it would be a good idea. What if she picked up? What was he supposed to say to her?
Once four months had gone by, it seemed he was ready to take the leap — and unbeknownst to Urban, Kidman gladly answered his call. Of course, the two stars clicked right away!
Happy Birthday!
Nicole’s 38th birthday is the day she realized that Keith was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. At five in the morning, she saw him standing on her stoop with some gardenias in hand.
This sudden surprise so early in the morning showed her how much effort Keith was willing to put in for her — and it made her fall for him even harder. From then on, she knew that she wanted to marry him.
The Trip to Woodstock
Her faith in Keith was cemented even further after they took a trip to Woodstock, New York together. Urban took his future wife on a romantic getaway on his Harley. Naturally, Nicole was extremely smitten with her beau at this point.
He had planned a picnic in the woods and had even packed a lunch for the both of them to enjoy together. This was the moment that the country singer had won Kidman’s heart entirely.
Popping the Question
It was no sooner than a year after the two started dating when Keith decided it was time to pop the question. Despite the fact that they had only known each other for a short while, Nicole knew they were destined to be together.
Plus, she thought it would be fun to get to know each other even after exchanging vows. And so, Nicole said yes when her future hubby got down on one knee.
Wedding in Australia
After only a year of getting to know each other, Keith and Nicole tied the knot at a chapel in Sydney and they’ve been happily married ever since. A high-profile marriage, the wedding was held in front of many well-known faces.
Some of these faces included Russell Crowe, Naomi Watts, and Hugh Jackman. New Zealand singer-songwriter and musician Neil Finn — who’s a member of both Crowded House and Fleetwood Mac — performed during the reception.
Keith’s Low Point
It wasn’t long after their wedding day that the couple’s marriage would be faced with trials and tribulations. In 2006, just four months after they said “I do,” Keith entered a rehabilitation center for addiction, though it wasn’t his first stint in rehab.
And so, Nicole — who was promoting a film in Rome at the time — hopped on a flight as soon as she heard the news. Keith then spent three months in treatment.
Dealing With Keith’s Addiction
During an interview with Rolling Stone in 2016, the Australian musician revealed that he “caused the implosion of my fresh marriage […] It survived, but it’s a miracle it did.”
He continued by attributing his success in rehab to Nicole, saying, “I was spiritually awoken with her. I use the expression ‘I was born into her,’ and that’s how I feel. And for the first time in my life, I could shake off the shackles of addiction.”
Different This Time Around
For Nicole’s part, well, she initially brought a sense of hesitancy to the marriage. And who could blame her? After all, her first marriage to Tom Cruise ended so abruptly that she was barely able to process it. She knew that her relationship with Urban was different, though.
According to the actress, “When you’re older, you’ve been through things, you’ve made mistakes,” she told UK magazine Red. “So you come into it [a second marriage], still giddy, but wanting it to last.”
Coming Clean
When the couple decided to go public about Keith’s issues, it came as a big shock to the world. Nicole was able to keep her problems with Tom hidden, but Keith was different and they both understood the backlash that would come from revealing their private matters to the world.
Still, there was no hiding the fact that Nicole was visiting Keith at the facility on weekends. At this point, Keith couldn’t help but blame himself for causing his wife so much pain. Of course, though, Nicole stood by his side through the good times and bad.
Start of a New Life
A few years after therapy, Keith realized how much had changed for the better and how lucky he was to have Nicole as his wife. He revealed that he wasn’t ready to fix himself until he met Nicole.
It was after this recovery that Keith’s life really started. This was their chance to turn over a new leaf and so, Keith and Nicole began to focus on building a family together.
Sunday Rose Kidman Urban
In July of 2008, Keith and Nicole celebrated the birth of their first child together, Sunday Rose Kidman Urban. Although Nicole had already shared two children — Isabella Jane Cruise and Connor Cruise — with ex Tom Cruise at this point, Sunday was Nicole’s first biological kid to be brought into the world.
As it was their first child together, Keith and Nicole were glad to have something that brought them even closer.
Faith Margeret Kidman Urban
In a 2011 statement, Nicole and Keith revealed they welcomed their second daughter, Faith Margeret Kidman Urban, in late December 2010. She was born at the Women’s Hospital at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
The statement read, “Our family is truly blessed, and just so thankful, to have been given the gift of baby Faith Margaret […] No words can adequately convey the incredible gratitude that we feel for everyone who was so supportive throughout this process, in particular our gestational carrier.”
Family Life
Because Nicole had previously struggled with infertility, Faith was born via surrogate. During an interview with Vogue, Nicole revealed that “I wish I could have met [Keith] much earlier and had way more children with him, but I didn’t. I mean, if I could have had two more children with him, that would have been just glorious.”
According to the Hollywood couple, though, they are very close with their kids — so much so that Nicole even chaperones their school trips.
Being There for Her
In 2014, Nicole was unfortunately struck by the sudden loss of her father. During an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, the Moulin Rouge star opened up about how Keith helped her get through such a tough period in her life, saying, “He has been so good to me for nine years, but for the last sort of month […] he’s been amazing to me.”
She continued, “To have my husband to step up in that way, it makes me cry. He’s amazing. I will keep him. I’ll do anything for that man.”
Secret to a Happy Marriage
Both Keith and Nicole have opened up about how they keep the spark in their marriage alive. Both have said that they always make time for each other no matter how busy they may be. They even have a rule in which they can’t spend more than seven days apart.
Whenever the two icons aren’t working, they can be found spending time with their two daughters. Together, Nicole and Keith have built their idyllic life.
How Do They Keep Contact?
Even when they’re busy, Nicole and Keith still find time to dedicate themselves to their other half. They have adopted an old-school method to keep their spark alive — they write letters to each other.
The couple famously doesn’t text or email each other — aside from the occasional naughty text, Keith revealed on the Ellen Show — though they talk to each other multiple times a day.
Prioritizing Family
Urban has expressed the troubles of maintaining balance in family and work. Keith has said that he will do anything to see his family even if he’s in a completely different country.
He will fly home after a show, even if he can only stay for a short time. He has revealed that he doesn’t mind taking late-night flights if it means that he can get home in time to have breakfast in the morning with his beloved wife and kids.
Bring the Kids to Work
When it comes to her work, Kidman prioritizes roles that allow her to stay close to her kids at all times. Sometimes, she’ll even let her kids tag along with her to set.
Her children have also had a few parts in some of her projects including Little Big Lies. Both Kidman and Urban have a system created for their kids in which Nicole will stay to look after the kids when her husband isn’t around and vice-versa.
Dealing With Emotions
In 2016, Keith opened up about how he deals with stress and emotions. He’ll keep his feelings pent up for quite some time, and will let it all out about once a month.
He has said that after his monthly cry, he feels better for the coming weeks and that even the skies look better to him. He has said it’s the small things — like the passage of time and his kids growing up — that cause the waterworks.
Their Signature Pose
Whenever Nicole and Keith are out together at events or award shows, they are always prepared to give the cameras what they want. They even have their signature pose where they stand closely in an embrace and bring their faces close enough not to kiss and just stare into each other’s eyes.
They have been doing this for a while at every event they go to and the photographers don’t waste time catching the passing moment of passion that the two seem to radiate.
A Song for Nicole
When it comes to keeping the romance alive in a relationship, Keith knows what he’s doing. We mean, he wrote a song dedicated to his wife, for goodness sake! In his 2018 song “Gemini,” Keith explained that the lyrics he wrote stemmed from his feelings about his lovely wife. Nicole has been said to love the song.
It came about when his co-writer asked him to describe his feelings for Nicole and, naturally, the lines just started flowing. What’s sweeter than someone writing a song about you?
2020 Golden Globe
During the 2020 Golden Globes, Nicole Kidman won Best Actress for her portrayal in Big Little Lies. This triumphant moment was made even sweeter by Urban, who couldn’t contain his excitement for his wife!
He was quick to hold her hand gently and to lead her to receive her award on the stage. We can safely say that Keith is his wife’s biggest fan, hype man, and — most importantly — her best friend.
The Australian Wildfire
The Australian wildfires may seem like they happened ages ago due to the virus, but for Urban and Kidman, it was a very upsetting and trying time. After all, their home was in danger of being burnt down by the threat of wildfires. Still, they stuck together as they always do.
The couple later donated $500,000 to help aid firefighters battling devastating wildfires around the country. Luckily, their home ended being okay — although it had been under enormous threat, as the surrounding areas had been very badly burned.
Rare Appearance
Generally speaking, Nicole and Keith make appearances during certain award shows as a couple, but they don’t let their kids tag along to these events. So, it was definitely a surprise to see the Urban-Kidman family make an appearance together when Nicole was nominated during the 2021 Golden Globes.
The awards were hosted via video call due to pandemic restrictions. The couple could be seen sitting in their home along with their daughters — and from the looks of it, they are just the perfect family! Anyone else think it’s safe to say that Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban are couple goals?!
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