Just a day before his untimely demise, the iconic frontman of Queen, Freddie Mercury, made a poignant public announcement revealing his battle with AIDS.
The renowned singer of the legendary rock band Queen, known for their immense global success, disclosed his health status on this significant day in 1991.
In his emotional statement, Mercury expressed, “Amidst widespread speculation in the media, I feel compelled to confirm that I have been diagnosed as HIV positive and am suffering from AIDS.
“I chose to keep this information private to safeguard the privacy of those close to me.
“Nevertheless, the time has now arrived for my friends and supporters worldwide to be informed, and I urge everyone to unite with me, my medical team, and the global community in combating this dreadful illness.”
Mercury’s declining health had sparked rumors, notably his frail appearance in the music video for “These Are the Days of Our Lives,” along with his prolonged absence from touring.
While he had disclosed his illness to his bandmates only two years earlier, acquaintances revealed that he was aware of his HIV positive status as early as 1987.
During the recording of Queen’s final single, “The Show Must Go On,” Mercury endured intense physical suffering, as recounted by his bandmates in a recent documentary.
In an interview for the BBC documentary, “Freddie Mercury: The Final Act,” Queen guitarist Brian May shared, “When he entered the studio, he was visibly struggling.
Walking was arduous for him, even sitting was a challenge.
“He requested for vodka, downing a shot, then another, before steadying himself to sing.
Those magnificent notes emanated from him, a source unknown to us.”
Peter ‘Phoebe’ Freestone, Mercury’s dedicated personal assistant for many years, disclosed that the decision to make the public announcement had been under consideration for some time, with the final timing determined after Mercury returned home to Kensington, where he spent his last days.
Reflecting on the sequence of events, Freestone remarked, “There were discussions about unveiling the news before Freddie’s passing, but it remained at the planning stage.
“After Freddie’s return from Switzerland on November 10, 1991, when he resolved to cease his treatment, the idea of issuing the statement crossed his mind.
“He arranged everything…I believe he sensed it was his moment to reveal the truth.”
Following Mercury’s tragic demise, the surviving members of Queen delivered a remarkable performance at The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert for AIDS Awareness, held at Twickenham stadium and broadcasted to a global TV audience of potentially one billion viewers.
The concert’s proceeds, which featured a memorable collaboration between Elton John and Axl Rose, were allocated to establish the HIV organization, the Mercury Phoenix Trust.
As the world mourned the loss of an extraordinary talent, Mercury’s legacy endured through his music and the impactful initiatives aimed at raising awareness and support for AIDS-related causes.
