The widower of Freddie Mercury's secret daughter has vowed to honour her final wish by publishing a book of intimate photographs and diary excerpts, with all proceeds destined for children's cancer charities.
A Legacy Forged in Secrecy
Thomas, the husband of the woman known as Bibi, confirmed her death at age 48 from a rare spinal cancer on 5th January. He revealed that during her final illness, she resolved to create a picture memoir to share her story and support a cause close to her heart. The proceeds from the book will benefit paediatric oncology units.
Bibi, a doctor who lived in France, was revealed to be the child of the Queen frontman in the September 2023 biography 'Love, Freddie' by author Lesley-Ann Jones. The book detailed how Mercury fathered a child with a married friend in 1976 and maintained a close, secret relationship with his daughter until his death from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991, when she was 15.
Alleged Denials and a Final Mission
In an email, Thomas stated that his late wife was 'extremely affected' by the public denials from Mercury's former fiancée, Mary Austin, and from Anita Dobson, the wife of Queen guitarist Brian May. He claimed Bibi believed Austin knew of her existence but was lying to keep a promise made to Freddie.
'She said that if her father had made Mrs. Austin promise not to reveal her existence, she would keep her word so as not to betray the promise she made to her father,' Thomas explained. He noted that Bibi had sent annual birthday and New Year letters to Austin's business address for years, all of which went unanswered.
Despite her deteriorating health, Bibi dedicated her last months to gathering photos and excerpts from the 17 volumes of journals her father gave her. Thomas said the goal was to publish these in the autumn of 2027, avoiding the 'circus' she anticipated around what would have been Mercury's 80th birthday in 2026.
A Race Against Time
Author Lesley-Ann Jones, who worked with Bibi for four years, described her as being on a 'mission' to tell the truth. She stated Bibi had been in remission from chordoma, a rare spinal cancer, for years before it returned, prompting her to make contact.
'We worked together for 4 years to get the book written and published - on borrowed time,' Jones said. She added that Bibi was devastated by Austin's attempts to deny her existence and block the book's publication through lawyers.
In her final summer, Bibi, her husband, and their two young children, aged nine and seven, undertook a trip to South America, where she achieved her dream of visiting Machu Picchu. Upon returning, she began a gruelling treatment schedule. 'Love, Freddie' was published on 5th September 2023.
Bibi passed away at her home in the South of France. Her ashes were scattered in the Swiss Alps, near a family home, to watch over her children.
Jones revealed that Mercury called his daughter his 'trésor' (treasure) and his 'little froggie', and that Queen songs 'Bijou' and 'Don't Try So Hard' were written about her. She also claims to have DNA evidence supporting Bibi's paternity.
Thomas's pledge ensures that Bibi's story, and a unique part of Freddie Mercury's legacy, will soon be shared with the world, transforming personal history into hope for young cancer patients.
