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Topics: Music, Health, Entertainment, Celebrity
Emily Brown
Queen frontman Freddie Mercury passed away on 24 November, 1991 after being diagnosed with AIDS, but it wasn't until just hours before his death that he shared the news of his illness with the world.
The singer, who died when he was 45 years old, remains an icon to this day after helping to bring the world legendary songs such as 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 'Don't Stop Me Now' and 'We Are The Champions'.
His story was told to a new generation recently in the form of the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, in which we saw Rami Malek portray Mercury from Queen's inception through to the singer's diagnosis with AIDS.
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Mercury is said to have been diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, but he continued to record tracks with Queen and chose not to speak publicly about his illness for years.
Peter Freestone, who lived with and worked for Mercury in his Kensington home, Garden Lodge, explained the singer had a 'plan' to make an announcement about his condition before he died.
Freestone has previously described himself as 'Freddie's chief cook and bottle washer, waiter, butler, secretary, cleaner and agony aunt'.
He recalled travelling the world with him and being with him during the highs and lows, and explained that Mercury made a decision to stop his medication after returning from a trip to Switzerland on 10 November, 1991.
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"It obviously passed through his mind to make the statement," Freestone said.
"He made all his arrangements...I think he just felt and knew it was his time,"
The statement was released on what was 23 November in the UK, 22 November in the US, and saw Mercury address speculation about his health that had been circulating in the media.
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It read: "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.”
Mercury concluded: "My privacy has always been very special to me and I am famous for my lack of interviews.
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"Please understand this policy will continue."
Just one day later, on 24 November, Mercury died from Aids-related complications at his home in Kensington.
Despite that, his legacy endures to this day.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677