A woman alleged to be the secret daughter of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury has died at the age of 48 following a long battle with a rare form of cancer.
A Private Life and a Rare Illness
Known only as B, the woman's identity was closely guarded during her lifetime. Her widower has now confirmed to Mail Online that she passed away peacefully after a long battle with chordoma, an uncommon and aggressive spinal cancer. She leaves behind two young sons, aged nine and seven.
Her husband revealed that her ashes have been scattered in the Alps, stating she is now "with her beloved and loving father". The family had moved frequently to access the best possible treatment for her condition, which author Lesley-Ann Jones describes in her book as "a rare form of spinal cancer that was always going to kill her".
Claims of a Hidden Family Connection
The extraordinary claims of B's parentage are detailed in Jones's recent biography, Love Freddie. The book alleges B was born from a supposed affair between Mercury and a friend's wife. It states that Mercury, who died in 1991, was aware of her and affectionately called her Bibi.
According to the biography, while B was raised by another family, Freddie made regular visits, especially in the 15 years leading up to his death. The book asserts that members of Queen and Mercury's own family were aware of her existence, though it was never publicly acknowledged.
In a letter cited in the book, B wrote: "Freddie Mercury was and is my father. We had a very close and loving relationship from the moment I was born... He adored me and was devoted to me." She acknowledged the unusual circumstances of her birth but maintained it did not affect his commitment to her.
Privacy, Proof, and a Final Wish
B, who worked in the medical field, chose to keep her alleged connection private to protect her career. Following her death, her family are reportedly considering releasing photographs of her with the singer, a step she avoided while alive.
The claims have faced scepticism, but Jones has addressed critics on social media. She stated that DNA verification was obtained and legal teams were involved, though such evidence remains private. "The requisite verification was obtained," Jones wrote, "but such measures are private and not shared publicly."
The book also notes that Mary Austin, Mercury's former partner often described as the love of his life, was aware of B. While Freddie Mercury never publicly labelled his sexuality, those close to him knew of his relationships with both men and women.
