Bohemian Rhapsody: Who is Mary Austin? Who was Freddie Mercury's fiancee?

Bohemian Rhapsody may be considered by some to be a superhero movie. In many ways, Freddie Mercury was a superhero himself – large than life and capable of lifting total strangers out of despair simply through his music. The film charts Freddie’s life, and the rise of the queen, up until the 1985 Live Aid show at Wembley.

Who is Mary Austin?

The movie shows Freddie Mercury meeting his future girlfriend Mary Austin just before his first run-in with Brian May and Roger Taylor.

In reality, the pair met in 1969, five years after Freddie Mercury moved to England.

Aged 24, he had just finished art college and 19-year-old Mary was working in a West London fashion boutique when they fell in love.

Soon they shared a cramped flat near Kensington market, where Freddie had a clothing stall with Queen drummer Roger Taylor.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY REVIEWS: WHAT ARE CRITICS SAYING ABOUT THE BIOPIC?

While Freddie was both camp on and off stage, sporting outrageous clothes and strutting theatrically, the presence of Mary meant his sexuality was not questioned.

He dedicated the song Love Of My Life to her and proposed in 1973, around the time Queen released their debut album.

Austin told Daily Mail in 2003: “He gave me a big box on Christmas Day. Inside was another box, then another and so it went on.

“It was like one of his playful games. Eventually, I found a lovely jade ring inside the last small box. . . .

“I was shocked. It just so wasn’t what I was expecting. I just whispered, ‘Yes. I will.’”

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY MOVIE AGE RATING: HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO WATCH