More than 3 decades ago that Freddie Mercury abandoned usbut there is no day when their songs do not come to mind. And it is that the legend of one of the most important music bands of music, Queen, has managed to transfer borders and generations thanks to its music. This year his ‘A Night at the Opera’. But not only his songs have been the result of veneration, but all kinds of objects related to Queen and, above all, to his singer, Freddie Mercury.
That is why it is not uncommon to see that, from time to time, all kinds of objects related to Freddie Mercury go on sale or Queen. In addition to t -shirts, concert tickets, posters, etc. A lot has been auctioned memorabilia. And between the years 2023 and 2024, many objects of the artist, such as His mustache brush, his last house in London, the piano with which he performed some of his most recognized themesseveral paintings by Spanish artists who liked to collect, such as paintings by Goya, Picasso, Salvador Dalí or Joan Miró and other lots that they included from some of their costumes, letters signed by him or drafts of some of his songs.
And the articles?
Before his death in 1991, it was estimated that Queen’s singer, Freddie Mercury, had a net worth close to 50 or 60 million dollarscomposed of an estimated fortune of 40 million dollars and liquid assets valued at 13 million dollars. After his death, Mercury’s cultural and musical impact continued to grow, which significantly increased his financial legacy. In 1995, Queen launched the album ‘Made in Heaven’, which included unpublished recordings of the singer, generating substantial income and keeping her link with the band’s fans alive.
Because Freddie Mercury’s heritage was distributed mainly To her ex -girlfriend and friend Mary Austinwho received 50% of his fortune, including his Garden Lodge mansion and the copyright of his music, and the artist’s parents and his sister inherited the remaining 25% each. Having so many articles of the music legend, her friend Mary Austin, who was promised with Freddie, decided to auction them. And the surprise has jumped to light when it is discovered that one of the people who bought the most objects, anonymously, It was the sister of Zanzíbar singer, Kashmira Cooke.
These sales have almost always been thanks to the participation of the Sotheby’s auction house and, specifically, to the good relationship they have with Mary Austin, Exnovia and best friend of Mercury, whom He dedicated compositions like ‘Love of My Life‘, and that he had been keeping as a treasure.
What else was in the auction?
Among the purchased objects For Freddie Mercury’s sister they are articles of great sentimental valuelike a jukebox or a vest with reasons for cats and songs of songs. The singer’s sister participated in the auction anonymously, assisted by her son and her personal assistant, with the intention of preserving Mercury’s family legacy. Austin’s decision to sell Mercury’s belongings was not exempt from controversy. Brian May, Queen guitarist, expressed his sadness for the auction, describing her as “too sad” and stating that he couldn’t even see her.
The auction raised a total of 40 million pounds (more than 45 million euros), far exceeding initial expectations. Among the most prominent objects was the Yamaha piano that Mercury used to compose “Bohemian Rhapsody”, sold for 1.74 million pounds (approximately 2 million euros). Part of the benefits obtained in the auction were donated to beneficial organizations such as the Mercury Phoenix Trust y la Elton John Aids Foundationin honor of Mercury’s commitment to the fight against AIDS.
This emotional gesture of Kashmira Bulara not only highlights the deep family link she shared with her brother, but also underlines The importance of preserving Freddie Mercury’s legacy For future generations of Queen followers.
