Editing Freddie Mercury (section)

==Illness and death==
<!-- ****NOTE**** Pay attention to how this article uses<ref> ****NOTE**** -->
Mercury exhibited [[HIV/AIDS]] symptoms as early as 1982. Authors Matt Richards and Mark Langthorne have stated in their biographical book about Mercury, ''Somebody to Love: The Life, Death, and Legacy of Freddie Mercury'', that Mercury secretly visited a doctor in New York City to get a white lesion on his tongue checked (which might have been [[hairy leukoplakia]], one of the first signs of an infection) a few weeks before Queen's final American appearance with Mercury on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' on 25 September 1982, where he began to exhibit the symptoms of someone recently infected with HIV.<ref name="Richards Lamgthorne">{{cite news|url=https://www.advocate.com/hiv/2016/11/23/freddie-mercurys-life-story-hiv-bisexuality-and-queer-identity|last=Anderson-Minshall|first=Diane|title=Freddie Mercury's Life Is the Story of HIV, Bisexuality, and Queer Identity|magazine=The Advocate|access-date=26 September 2020|date=23 November 2016|archive-date=5 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905042357/https://www.advocate.com/hiv/2016/11/23/freddie-mercurys-life-story-hiv-bisexuality-and-queer-identity|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Mountain-studios.jpg|thumb|[[Mountain Studios]] in Montreux, Switzerland, Queen's recording studio from 1978 to 1995. Mercury recorded his final vocals here in May 1991. In December 2013, the studio was opened free as the "Queen Studio Experience", with fans asked for a donation to the [[Mercury Phoenix Trust]] charity.<ref name="Montreux studio" />]]
In October 1986, two months after Mercury's final live performance with Queen at [[Knebworth House]] on the [[Magic Tour (Queen)|Magic Tour]], the British newspapers the ''[[News of the World]]'' and ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' reported that Mercury had his blood tested for HIV/AIDS at a [[Harley Street]] clinic, but he was quoted as saying he was "perfectly fit and healthy".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/helicopters-stabbings-and-smashed-guitars-freddie-mercurys-last-stand | title=Helicopters, stabbings and smashed guitars: Freddie Mercury's last stand | work=Louder | first=Henry | last=Yates | date=7 September 2019 | access-date=28 July 2023 | archive-date=27 July 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230727191151/https://www.loudersound.com/features/helicopters-stabbings-and-smashed-guitars-freddie-mercurys-last-stand | url-status=live }}</ref> According to his partner, Jim Hutton, Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS in late April 1987.<ref name="Teeman_2006" /> Around that time, Mercury said in an interview that he had tested negative for HIV.<ref name="Cain_2006" />

The British press pursued rumours about Mercury's health over the next few years, fuelled by his increasingly gaunt appearance, Queen's absence from touring, and reports from his former lovers to [[tabloid journalist]]s. By 1990, rumours about Mercury's health were rife.<ref name="Bret_1996_138">{{harvnb|Bret|1996|p=138}}.</ref> At the [[1990 Brit Awards]] held at the [[Dominion Theatre]], London, on 18 February, Mercury made his final appearance on stage, when he joined the rest of Queen to collect the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Music.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/events/brit_awards/freddy.htm|title=The Highs and Lows of the Brit Awards|publisher=BBC|access-date=27 September 2014|date=2 December 1999|archive-date=1 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301010136/http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/static/events/brit_awards/freddy.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/freddie-mercury |title=Queen, Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor, Brian May, BRITS 1990 |website=Brts.co.uk |access-date=27 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007141855/http://www.brits.co.uk/artist/freddie-mercury |archive-date=7 October 2014}}</ref>

Mercury and his inner circle of colleagues and friends continually denied the stories. It has been suggested that Mercury could have helped AIDS awareness by speaking earlier about his illness.<ref name="Ressner" /><ref name="Sky_1992_163">{{cite book|last=Sky|first=Rick|year=1992|title=The Show Must Go On|location=London, England|publisher= Fontana |isbn= 978-0-00-637843-3|page=163}}</ref> Mercury kept his condition private to protect those closest to him; May later confirmed that Mercury had informed the band of his illness much earlier.<ref name="Bret_1996_179">{{harvnb|Bret|1996|p=179}}.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Brian_May_-_04-02-1993_-_Sacramento_Bee|title=Heir Apparent With Freddie Mercury Dead And Queen Disbanded, Brian May Carries On The Tradition|newspaper=[[The Sacramento Bee]]|access-date=27 September 2014|date=4 February 1993|archive-date=16 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316111305/http://www.queenarchives.com/index.php?title=Brian_May_-_04-02-1993_-_Sacramento_Bee|url-status=live}}</ref> Filmed in May 1991, the [[These Are the Days of Our Lives#Music video|music video]] for "[[These Are the Days of Our Lives]]" features a very thin Mercury in his final scenes in front of the camera.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/final-freddie-mercury-performance-discovered-2290788.html|title=Final Freddie Mercury performance discovered|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=27 September 2014|location=London|first=Adam|last=Sherwin|date=30 May 2011|archive-date=30 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930125248/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/final-freddie-mercury-performance-discovered-2290788.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Director of the video [[Rudi Dolezal]] comments, "AIDS was never a topic. We never discussed it. He didn't want to talk about it. Most of the people didn't even 100 percent know if he had it, apart from the band and a few people in the inner circle. He always said, 'I don't want to put any burden on other people by telling them my tragedy.{{'"}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Freddie Mercury's Final Bow: Director Rudi Dolezal Recalls the Queen Legend's Poignant Last Video |url=https://people.com/music/freddie-mercury-last-music-video-rudi-dolezal-interview/ |access-date=23 June 2021 |magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]] |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624205331/https://people.com/music/freddie-mercury-last-music-video-rudi-dolezal-interview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The rest of the band were ready to record when Mercury felt able to come into the studio, for an hour or two at a time. May said of Mercury: "He just kept saying. 'Write me more. Write me stuff. I want to just sing this and do it and when I am gone you can finish it off.' He had no fear, really."<ref name="Montreux studio" /> Justin Shirley-Smith, the assistant engineer for those last sessions, said: "This is hard to explain to people, but it wasn't sad, it was very happy. He [Freddie] was one of the funniest people I ever encountered. I was laughing most of the time, with him. Freddie was saying [of his illness] 'I'm not going to think about it, I'm going to do this.{{'"}}<ref name="Montreux studio" />

After the conclusion of his work with Queen in June 1991, Mercury retired to his home in [[Kensington]], West London. His former partner, Mary Austin, was a particular comfort in his final years, and in the last few weeks made regular visits to look after him.<ref name="Austin" /> Near the end of his life, Mercury began to lose his sight, and declined so that he was unable to leave his bed.<ref name="Austin" /> Mercury chose to hasten his death by [[Hospice|refusing medication and took only painkillers]].<ref name="Austin">"Mary Austin Shares Her Memories" – March, 17th 2000. ''[[OK!]]''. Retrieved 27 September 2014</ref> On 22 November 1991, Mercury called Queen's manager Jim Beach to his Kensington home to prepare a public statement, which was released the following day:<ref name="Bret_1996_179" />

{{blockquote|Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, 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 to protect the privacy of those around me. However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease. My privacy has always been very special to me and I am famous for my lack of interviews. Please understand this policy will continue.}}

=== Death ===
On the evening of 24 November 1991, about 24 hours after issuing the statement, Mercury died at the age of 45 at his home in Kensington.<ref name="otd">{{cite news |title=1991: Giant of rock dies |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/24/newsid_2546000/2546945.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=24 November 1991 |access-date=27 September 2014 |archive-date=30 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730110726/http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/november/24/newsid_2546000/2546945.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The cause of death was [[bronchial pneumonia]] resulting from AIDS.<ref name="Biochannel_2007"/> His close friend [[Dave Clark (musician)|Dave Clark]] of [[the Dave Clark Five]] was at the bedside vigil when Mercury died.<ref>{{cite news |title=Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin: The insider's tale of their lifelong love story |url=https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/freddie-mercury/mary-austin-relationship-love-story/ |access-date=14 May 2024 |publisher=[[Smooth Radio (2014)|Smooth Radio]] |archive-date=14 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240414044751/https://www.smoothradio.com/artists/freddie-mercury/mary-austin-relationship-love-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Austin phoned Mercury's parents and sister to break the news, which reached newspaper and television crews in the early hours of 25 November.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://teletext.mb21.co.uk/gallery/ceefax/cx_merc2.gif |title=Singer Freddie Mercury dies, aged 45 |work=[[Ceefax]] |access-date=4 September 2011 |archive-date=7 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007004533/http://teletext.mb21.co.uk/gallery/ceefax/cx_merc2.gif |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Freddie Mercury house.jpg|thumb|right|The outer walls of Mercury's final home, [[Garden Lodge, Kensington|Garden Lodge]], [[Logan Place]], west London, became a shrine to the late singer.]]
Mercury's funeral service was conducted on 27 November 1991 by a [[Zoroastrian]] priest at [[West London Crematorium]], where he is commemorated by a [[plinth]] under his birth name. In attendance at Mercury's service were his family and 35 of his close friends, including [[Elton John]] and the members of Queen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mr-mercury.co.uk/sun_28_11_91.htm |title=Elton's Sad Farewell |publisher=Mr-mercury.co.uk |access-date=27 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012022621/http://mr-mercury.co.uk/sun_28_11_91.htm |date=28 November 1991|archive-date=12 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mr-mercury.co.uk/nov_28_91_mirror_freddie.htm |title=Freddie, I'll Love You Always |publisher=Mr-mercury.co.uk |access-date=27 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012022809/http://mr-mercury.co.uk/nov_28_91_mirror_freddie.htm |archive-date=12 October 2014}}</ref> His coffin was carried into the chapel to the sounds of "[[Take My Hand, Precious Lord]]"/"[[You've Got a Friend]]" by [[Aretha Franklin]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Freddie Mercury: An Intimate Biography|last=Bret|first=David|date=2014|publisher=Lulu|page=198|isbn=9781291811087}}</ref> In accordance with Mercury's wishes, Mary Austin took possession of his [[cremated remains]] and buried them in an undisclosed location.<ref name="Independent 5 Things" /> The whereabouts of his ashes are believed to be known only to Austin, who has said that she will never reveal them.<ref>{{cite book|first=Jeremy|last=Simmonds|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bMBf3TYZigQC&pg=PA282|title=The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches|publisher=Chicago Review Press|date=2008|isbn=9781556527548|page=282|access-date=13 March 2016|archive-date=17 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117214729/https://books.google.com/books?id=bMBf3TYZigQC&pg=PA282|url-status=live}}</ref> However, they are traditionally held by Queen fans to be at [[Kensal Green Cemetery]], where the plinth marks the supposed burial location.<ref>{{cite news |title=Freddie Mercury's plaque vanishes from Kensal Green cemetery |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/freddie-mercurys-plaque-vanishes-from-kensal-green-cemetery-8520387.html |access-date=30 June 2024 |work=Evening Standard |archive-date=30 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630204207/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/celebrity-news/freddie-mercurys-plaque-vanishes-from-kensal-green-cemetery-8520387.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mercury spent and donated to charity much of his wealth during his lifetime, with his estate valued around £8&nbsp;million at the time of his death. He bequeathed his home, Garden Lodge, and the adjoining Mews, as well as 50% of all privately owned shares, to Mary Austin. His sister, Kashmira Cooke, received 25%, as did his parents, Bomi and Jer Bulsara, which Cooke acquired upon their deaths. He willed £500,000 to Joe Fannelli; £500,000 to Jim Hutton; £500,000 to Peter Freestone; and £100,000 to Terry Giddings.<ref>{{citation|title=Last will and testament of Frederick Mercury otherwise Freddie Mercury}}</ref> Mercury, who never drove a car because he had no licence, was often chauffeured around London in his [[Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow]] from 1979 until his death. The car was passed to his sister Kashmira who made it available for display at public events, including the West End premiere of the musical ''We Will Rock You'' in 2002, before it was auctioned off at the [[National Exhibition Centre|NEC]] in Birmingham in 2013 for £74,600.<ref>{{cite news |title=Flash! Freddie Mercury's Rolls-Royce goes for more than SIX times the guide price |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/flash-freddie-mercury-s-rolls-royce-goes-for-more-than-six-times-the-guide-price-8451444.html |access-date=25 June 2022 |work=Evening Standard |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625153857/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/flash-freddie-mercury-s-rolls-royce-goes-for-more-than-six-times-the-guide-price-8451444.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Freddie's Roller on eBay |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/freddie-s-roller-on-ebay-7279071.html |access-date=25 June 2022 |work=Evening Standard |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625153856/https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/freddie-s-roller-on-ebay-7279071.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Following his death, the outer walls of Garden Lodge in [[Logan Place]] became a shrine to Mercury where mourners paid tributes by covering the walls in graffiti messages.<ref name="Womack" /> Three years later ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Time Out]]'' magazine reported that "the wall outside the house has become London's biggest rock 'n' roll shrine".<ref name="Womack">{{cite book|title='Reading the Beatles: Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism, and the Fab Four|last1=Womack|first1=Kenneth|last2=Davis|first2=Todd F.|date=2012|publisher=SUNY Press|page=17|isbn=9780791481967}}</ref> Fans continued to visit to pay their respects with letters appearing on the walls<ref>{{cite book|last=Humphreys|first=Rob|title=Rough Guide to London|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4q0rAQAAIAAJ|date=2008|publisher=Rough Guides|page=338}}</ref> until 2017, when Austin had the wall cleared.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/freddie-mercurys-ex-causes-outrage-11547879 |title=Freddie Mercury shrine at his £20m mansion taken down |last=Matthews |first=Alex |date=19 November 2017 |website=Daily Mirror |access-date=10 August 2020 |archive-date=26 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126054923/https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/freddie-mercurys-ex-causes-outrage-11547879 |url-status=live }}</ref> Hutton was involved in a 2000 biography of Mercury, ''Freddie Mercury, the Untold Story'',<!-- see cast list at https://us.imdb.com/title/tt0272620/ --> and also gave an interview for ''[[The Times]]'' in September 2006 for what would have been Mercury's 60th birthday.<ref name="Teeman_2006"/>