• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Freddie Mercury's Brave Public Statement Just 24 Hours Before His Death

Home> Celebrity

Updated 08:36 22 Jul 2022 GMT+1Published 08:35 22 Jul 2022 GMT+1

Freddie Mercury's Brave Public Statement Just 24 Hours Before His Death

The Queen frontman passed away due to AIDS-related complications in 1991

Emily Brown

Emily Brown

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

Topics: Music, Health, Entertainment, Celebrity

Emily Brown
Emily Brown

Emily Brown is UNILAD Editorial Lead at LADbible Group. She first began delivering news when she was just 11 years old - with a paper route - before graduating with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University. Emily joined UNILAD in 2018 to cover breaking news, trending stories and longer form features. She went on to become Community Desk Lead, commissioning and writing human interest stories from across the globe, before moving to the role of Editorial Lead. Emily now works alongside the UNILAD Editor to ensure the page delivers accurate, interesting and high quality content.

Advert

Advert

Advert

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.

Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987.
Alamy

Advert

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.

Advert

"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,"

Mercury passed away due to AIDS-related complications in 1991.
Alamy

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.

Advert

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.

Advert

"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 

  • Hulk Hogan's family release statement following his death aged 71
  • How Sharon Osbourne granted Ozzy Osbourne final wish just weeks before death as she releases emotional tribute
  • Ozzy Osbourne revealed one thing he wanted to be remembered for before his death aged 76
  • Ozzy Osbourne revealed heartbreaking funeral plans before his death aged 76

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • 2 hours ago

    Emotional Sharon Osbourne spotted for first time since Ozzy's death with rarely seen daughter at his procession

    Sharon Osbourne was joined by her three children in Birmingham today for the Black Sabbath legend's funeral

    Celebrity

    breaking

  • 2 hours ago

    Heidi Klum defends being topless around her children and explains the impact it's had on them

    Heidi Klum has done fashion shoots with her daughter since she turned 18

    Celebrity
  • 2 hours ago

    Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson leave people confused as they address their relationship

    The stars of the new Naked Gun movie were cryptic about their potential romance

    Celebrity
  • 5 hours ago

    All the details on Ozzy Osbourne's funeral and where fans can watch live as 'Prince of Darkness' is laid to rest

    Ozzy Osbourne's funeral is taking place in Birmingham later today

    Celebrity