Freddie Mercury’s Private Archive Comes Home Through Mary Austin’s Book

Mary Austin, Freddie Mercury’s closest friend and heir to his Garden Lodge, is sharing Mercury’s private archive with the world via her new book A Life in Lyrics, featuring photos and notes from the singer’s notebooks and lyrics. The collection—once auctioned by Sotheby’s in 2023 for £39.9 million across six sales—includes handwritten lyrics to major songs and Freddie’s personal items; the book provides context to his creative process and his life beyond the stage, with proceeds from the auction supporting Elton John AIDS Foundation and the broader effort to celebrate Mercury’s legacy.