Freddie Mercury sings Love of My Life at Wembley in 1986
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In the autumn of 1991, after months and months of mounting speculation, it was no longer possible to hide the fact that the Queen icon was terribly ill. The man who had seemed larger than life for so many years retreated to his private sanctuary, surrounded by his nearest and dearest. One Garden Lodge in Kensington was found for him by ex-girlfriend Mary Austin, and there he created not just a refuge but a place of great beauty. In his final weeks and days it was more precious than ever, and, as his strength finally failed, he made one personal request on November 20, just four days before he died.
Freddie had accepted that the end was coming and had stopped taking his HIV medication, although he continued with the very necessary pain medication.
He was looked after around the clock by Mary, who visited every day, as well as his partner Jim Hutton and his former partner (and chef) Joe Fanelli, both of whom lived with him, close friend Dave Clarke and long-term PA and friend Peter Freestone.
Peter spoke exclusively to the Express and described one particularly special moment, just four days before he died, that meant so much to Freddie as he said goodbye to a home that had been filled with so much love and laughter.
Peter said: “Freddie was downstairs in Garden Lodge on the 20th November, as he wanted to see some of his artworks for one last time.
“Terry carried him down the stairs, but he walked around the sitting room and Japanese room, with one of us supporting him. He commented on how and when he had acquired a few of the pieces. Of course, there was a quiet atmosphere in the house during those last days, but Freddie remained the Freddie we knew until the end.”
Terry Giddings was Freddie’s bodyguard and chaffeur.
Freddie Mercury: Sister recalls last two weeks of his life
Freddie said: “I love those stories about Elton, where he had that problem where people were staying at his home at the weekends, in his spare rooms…
“They’d look under the bed and there would be Rembrandts and other such masters. It’s true. With me, it’s my Japanese prints that are just getting ridiculous.”
Elton himself described one of his last visits to see the bedbound Freddie at home, to find him still buying yet more art over the phone. Of course, he later emotionally discovered exactly what Freddie was doing.
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