16+ Pics Of Freddie Mercury With His First Love, Mary Austin

Mary would have been 19 and Freddie in his mid-20s at the time. Austin was working at a fashion boutique in London when the two became romantically involved.

They shared an apartment in West Kensington, London and things began moving quickly. At some point, they even started making plans to get married. But marriage wasn't ultimately in the cards for the star-struck couple.

"I knew that this man wasn't at one with himself over something," Mary once said. Indeed, Freddie loved Mary deeply. But sexuality can be a complicated thing, and he was conflicted.

Longtime friend Paul Gambaccini said, "I think Freddie was one of those people who was surprised to find out, as a young adult, that his gay impulses were stronger than his heterosexual impulses."

It was a breakup in a sense, but Mary Austin said it felt like a huge burden had been lifted. Freddie was free to explore other romantic interests, but he and Mary were still very close.

Homosexuality was only decriminalized in the United Kingdom in 1967, when Freddie was 22. Although he was in relationships with men, the stigma forced him to be somewhat secretive about his personal life.

Their romantic relationship officially ended in the mid-70s. But as you can see from the wealth of pics of the two together over the years, they remained in each other's lives.

"All my lovers asked why they couldn't replace Mary, but it's simply impossible," he said in 1985. This shows a powerful connection, as the interview took place a decade after they split up.

"The only friend I've got is Mary, and I don't want anybody else," he continued. "To me, it was a marriage. We believe in each other, that's enough for me."

Biographer Lesley-Ann Jones says said his guilt over the breakup, along with feelings of relief for finally feeling sexually open, may have inspired his most well-known piece, Bohemian Rhapsody.

"Mama...just killed a man"

"That was obviously alluding to Freddie killing off the old Freddie and becoming the new Freddie that he needed to be," says Jones. It wasn't the only song about Austin, either.

It isn't as well known as Bohemian Rhapsody, but Love of My Life, released in 1975, is one of Queen's most intensely personal and biographical songs. And it's all about Mary Austin.

No relationship is totally smooth, and this one was no different. The first verse deals with heartache, a devastating breakup and a longing to get back together again.

The song continues to express Freddie's personal anguish.

Love of my life, don't leave me

You've stolen my love, you now desert me ...

Don't take it away from me

Because you don't know

What it means to me

"You will remember, when this is blown over, everything's all by the way," Freddie sings. "When I grow older, I will be there at your side to remind you how I still love you."

While he could be cagey about his personal life and the inspiration behind his songs, Freddie Mercury was unequivocal in stating that Love of My Life was about Mary Austin.

Freddie Mercury passed away at the age of 45 of complications from AIDS. His life had been a whirlwind of touring and recording for the better part of the last two decades. But at the end, things were quiet.

At his Neo-Georgian home in London, he said his final goodbyes to those who were with him, including his two primary partners from life: Jim Hutton and, of course, Mary Austin.

They weren't together long, but Freddie Mercury and Mary Austin had a love that was built to last. There's something to be said for love and friendship triumphing above adversity.

It might not have been romantic love for very long, but it was a deep, everlasting love. Tell us about those who you value most in your life in the comments section!

h/t: vintag.es