Freddie Mercury exhibition opens at Sotheby's Freddie Mercury 's 'wife', Mary Austin , is poised to receive another substantial payout from the late star, potentially making her one of Britain's wealthiest women. Mary, who was once engaged to the Queen frontman, is reportedly set to pocket a cool £187.5million as a result of the band striking a record-breaking deal to sell their back catalogue .
The iconic rock group will be selling their songs to Song for an eye-watering £1 billion. Upon Freddie's death in 1991, Mary inherited half of his estate and received an additional 25% following the passing of his parents. She also receives 18.
75% of revenues from Queen Productions, which manages the band's catalogue and also pays out to remaining members Roger Taylor , John Deacon and Brian May . Read more: Inside Freddie Mercury’s life in his London home from parties, cats and lovers Mary Austin and Freddie Mercury were engaged for six years before he joined Queen (Image: Getty) Despite reportedly having minimal contact with the surviving band members, they all serve as trustees of the Mercury Phoenix Trust, established in Freddie's memory. This latest financial boost is likely to propel Mary into the Top 100 of Britain's richest women, with an extra increase after she listed Freddie's “country house in central London” for sale .
The Kensington property, where he tragically passed away three decades ago, was purchased by Freddie in 1985 and placed for sale earlier this year..