A woman claiming to be Freddie Mercury's secret daughter has spoken out, but her assertions have been met with scepticism from some of the late Queen frontman's closest friends. The claims, detailed in a forthcoming book by Lesley-Ann Jones, suggest Mercury fathered a child with the wife of a close friend in 1976.
The woman, known only as B and now 48, says she is a medical professional in Europe. In a handwritten letter, she states: 'Freddie Mercury was and is my father. We had a very close and loving relationship from the moment I was born and throughout the final 15 years of his life.' She claims Mercury entrusted her with 17 journals covering his final years.
However, Mary Austin, Mercury's close friend and beneficiary of half his estate, expressed doubt. She told the Sunday Times: 'Freddie had a glorious openness, and I cannot imagine he would have wanted to, or been able to, keep such a joyful event a secret.' Queen guitarist Brian May said he wanted to remain 'neutral', while his wife Anita Dobson dismissed the claims as 'fake news'.
Jones defended the story, noting that a DNA test had been conducted and that the lack of denial from Queen members and Mercury's sister was telling. 'They cannot because, as Freddie's daughter says, they know that it is true,' Jones said. The woman referred to as B said she was 'devastated' by Austin's comments.
