Mary Austin Confirms She's Selling Freddie Mercury's Garden Lodge Home for £30 Million

Mary Austin, a close friend of Freddie Mercury, has looked after Garden Lodge, Mercury's remarkable home in Kensington, for three decades. Following Mercury's passing in 1991, Austin took ownership of the property. Initially hesitant about staying there after his death, she eventually found solace in the house and decided to stay, acknowledging that while legally hers, Garden Lodge will always be Mercury's creation and vision.
Bloomberg reported that Austin has chosen to sell the property through Knight Frank for £30 million, after auctioning off Mercury's belongings the previous year, which raised over $50 million. Now, with her children grown and living elsewhere, Austin feels it's time for a new chapter in her life. She believes the house's next owner will likely be another artist, given its creative ambiance. Reflecting on the decision to sell, Austin acknowledges the bittersweet nature of letting go but embraces the warmth of memories she'll carry forward. This interview marks her final reflection on her time at Garden Lodge.

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[DMC]

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[lynda]

As sad as it is, Its Mary, s choice what she does with Garden Lodge, , she has her menories of Freddie, & no one can take them away from her! Thanks for sharing DM&C, Best wishes from.England🇬🇧♥️

[joandeluca]

Mary took care of Garden Lodge, maintaining its magnificence for over 30 years. She shouldered a huge responsibility. Freddie enjoyed freedom and happiness to enjoy his life. Mary, please enjoy your freedom, your happiness. God bless🩷

[TradeKingz]

it really should become a landmark & opened to the public as a museum.💯

[adi_v]

I really wish whoever buys it, converts it to a museum.

[HundXanthippe]

She is right. What is she doing in this house? She will take the memories with her wherever she goes. Freddie Mercury doesn't need worldly goods to remain unforgotten, his work does that.

[loverules]

People in the comment section who says freddie Mercury should have not left the mansion to her, as if u know her and his relationship. She has every right to do what she is called to do. She was trusted with it because freddie knew she has tge right wisdom to do it. No fan has the right to be mad at her. It's not your ownership! I do not own him or anything that he has left. Freddie left what he left the people he loved and trusted. Stop thinking that as a fan u have tge right to it. We are just fans not his family. U didn't go threw shit with him so shutup if she does what she thinks is right.

[digitaldesigner]

Yes, it is publicly known that Freddie didn't want a museum. But in my opinion they could have put some of his personal items in a famous museum, something like the "Freddie Mercury Sector" or at least some of his items in some unit of the Hard Rock Cafe in Vegas or something like that.

[adriannebrown]

Leave mary Austin alone. She has the right to her life. If this is the best thing for her then people need to respect it. Freddie Mercury loved and respected Mary so only he would want her to do what is best for her.

[RG-]

Mary please convert his house into a museum, so that millions of Freddie’s fans can visit and pay their tributes. She could also start a foundation in Freddie’ name, and money from the museum can be used to support the foundation.

[Retrojay]

Why would it be converted into a museum? Freddie died 31 years ago, Freddie was only living there for 10 years & more than likely only stayed there for a max of 3 with touring, recording and living in Germany/Montreux.

[fred]

Bravo Mary! I give a standing ovation! Old age is often associated with stupidity, greed and selfishness. Organize a meeting with Brian, Roger, the officials of the fan club and say the following. Guys, it’s time for me to retire, I’ve carried this cross for 30 years, but just sell everything, what is connected with Freddy I HAVE NO RIGHT! Let's think together what we can do about this?! Listen to everyone's opinion and make the right decision, which would definitely be found. Instead, she sells everything and this is the worst thing that could happen.There is only one justification for such an action. This is the murder of the legacy of a great man. And with this she will now go down in history.

[EvieK]

Why did the Royal Family not buy it all for the British people

[maryellenbeagle]

I would like to see it written sonewhere else as well to confirm

[fitzcaraldozito]

Very sad.

Besides, I really doubt she can sell it for a good price...

Because the future buyer will neither be able to turn it into a museum (since all the objects have been sold), nor live in it peacefully, since it will forever be a place of pilgrimage for Queen fans...

[ОльгаКондакова-ял]

С милой улыбочкой распродала всю память о Фреди, эгоизм зашкаливает... Миллионам фанатов не осталось ни музея, ни материальной памяти . Какая то меркантильная англичанка лишила мир памяти о Великом музыканте!

[monicagrigore]

It would have been so much better if she had kept his memory alive through the house and his belongins too. A museum would have been a great idea. I bet millions of people would have visited it. Now all his things are scattered just like his ashes… Sad

[daviddarrall]

A brave decision. May God support you. 😊 UK.

[cckdarwinudtuhan]

Freddie Mercury 💕 Love of my life you hurt me you SOLD my things i love .please bring it back bring it back you dont know what it means to me🌹🥀😞

[Melinochka]

Очень жаль! Хаттон писал в своей книге что возможно Фредди (не знаю какое слово вставить чтобы без звездочек) под деревом в Гарден Лодж. И взять продать да (