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Love of My Life: The Life and Loves of Freddie Mercury
WHO - OR WHAT - WAS THE REAL LOVE OF FREDDIE MERCURY'S LIFE? THE SENSATIONAL NEW BIOGRPHAY OF QUEEN'S FRONTMAN
Millions of Queen and screen fans who watched the Oscar-winning film Bohemian Rhapsody believe that Mary Austin, the woman he could never quite let go of, was the love of Freddie Mercury's life. But the truth is infinitely more complicated.
Best-selling biographer and music writer Lesley-Ann Jones explores the charismatic frontman's romantic encounters, from his boarding school years in Panchgani, India to his tragic, final, bed-ridden days in his magnificent London mansion. She reveals why none of his love interests ever perfected the art of being Freddie's life partner.
In Love of My Life, the author follows him through his obsessions with former shop girl Mary, German actress Barbara Valentin and Irish-born barber boyfriend Jim Hutton. She explores his adoration of globally fêted Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé. She delves into his intimate friendship with Elton John, and probes his imperishable bonds with his fellow band members. She deconstructs his complicated relationship with the 'food of love' - his music - and examines closely his voracious appetite for - what some would call his fatal addiction to - sex. Which of these was the real love of Freddie Mercury's life? Was any of them?
Drawing on personal interviews and first-hand encounters, this moving book brings to the fore a host of Freddie's lesser-known loves, weaving them in and out of the passions that consumed him. The result, a mesmerising portrait of a legendary rock star, is unputdownable. Love of My Life, published during the year of the 30th anniversary of his death and that would have seen his 75th birthday, is Lesley-Ann's personal and compassionate tribute to an artist she has revered for as long as she has written about music and musicians.
Millions of Queen and screen fans who watched the Oscar-winning film Bohemian Rhapsody believe that Mary Austin, the woman he could never quite let go of, was the love of Freddie Mercury's life. But the truth is infinitely more complicated.
Best-selling biographer and music writer Lesley-Ann Jones explores the charismatic frontman's romantic encounters, from his boarding school years in Panchgani, India to his tragic, final, bed-ridden days in his magnificent London mansion. She reveals why none of his love interests ever perfected the art of being Freddie's life partner.
In Love of My Life, the author follows him through his obsessions with former shop girl Mary, German actress Barbara Valentin and Irish-born barber boyfriend Jim Hutton. She explores his adoration of globally fêted Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballé. She delves into his intimate friendship with Elton John, and probes his imperishable bonds with his fellow band members. She deconstructs his complicated relationship with the 'food of love' - his music - and examines closely his voracious appetite for - what some would call his fatal addiction to - sex. Which of these was the real love of Freddie Mercury's life? Was any of them?
Drawing on personal interviews and first-hand encounters, this moving book brings to the fore a host of Freddie's lesser-known loves, weaving them in and out of the passions that consumed him. The result, a mesmerising portrait of a legendary rock star, is unputdownable. Love of My Life, published during the year of the 30th anniversary of his death and that would have seen his 75th birthday, is Lesley-Ann's personal and compassionate tribute to an artist she has revered for as long as she has written about music and musicians.
- GenresMusicBiographyNonfiction
294 pages, Hardcover
First published September 2, 2021
32 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Lesley-Ann Jones
30 books86 followersLesley-Ann Jones is a British biographer, novelist, broadcaster and keynote speaker.
She honed her craft on Fleet Street, where she worked as a newspaper columnist and feature writer for more than twenty years. She has also worked extensively in radio and television, appears regularly in music documentaries in the UK, USA and Australia, and is the writer and co-producer of ‘The Last Lennon Interview’, a film about the final encounter, in New York, between the former Beatle and BBC Radio One presenter Andy Peebles.
Her debut memoir ‘Tumbling Dice’ is out now.
NB: the cover of TUMBLING DICE displayed here is NOT the current, correct one, but is of an edition that was never published! It appears to be impossible to change it! The ISBN for the CORRECT, CURRENT VERSION is 978109175
First serialisation rights for TUMBLING DICE were acquired by the Mail on Sunday UK, published across four pages on 7th April 2019. Second serial went to The Times, UK, featured as a double-page spread on 10th April.
The author’s interview with US ABC Radio network is syndicated to 2,000 stations across the United States. She has discussed the book on most BBC local stations, including BBC York, Northampton, Guernsey, Cornwall, Solent, Hereford & Worcester, Derby and Oxford. Live radio exposure continues over the coming weeks, with BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms Show, Wandsworth Radio, Express FM’s The Soft Rock Show, K107FM Scotland, Wycombe Sound, Camglen Radio (Scotland), the Sticks Radio Show & podcast, BBC Radio Kent, Radio Caroline, Talk Radio’s The Paul Ross Show and Talk Radio Europe’s Bill Padley Show.
Lesley-Ann Jones’s agents are currently negotiating with two independent production majors on a screen adaptation of TUMBLING DICE.
Other recent works include ‘Hero: David Bowie’, ‘Imagine’, and ‘Ride a White Swan: The Lives and Death of Marc Bolan’. Her globally-acclaimed definitive biography of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, re-issued in 2019 as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, is a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. The book accompanies the band’s long-awaited eponymous feature film, the highest-grossing music biopic of all time.
The author is currently working on two further titles, for publication in 2020.
She is a mother of three, and lives in London.
She honed her craft on Fleet Street, where she worked as a newspaper columnist and feature writer for more than twenty years. She has also worked extensively in radio and television, appears regularly in music documentaries in the UK, USA and Australia, and is the writer and co-producer of ‘The Last Lennon Interview’, a film about the final encounter, in New York, between the former Beatle and BBC Radio One presenter Andy Peebles.
Her debut memoir ‘Tumbling Dice’ is out now.
NB: the cover of TUMBLING DICE displayed here is NOT the current, correct one, but is of an edition that was never published! It appears to be impossible to change it! The ISBN for the CORRECT, CURRENT VERSION is 978109175
First serialisation rights for TUMBLING DICE were acquired by the Mail on Sunday UK, published across four pages on 7th April 2019. Second serial went to The Times, UK, featured as a double-page spread on 10th April.
The author’s interview with US ABC Radio network is syndicated to 2,000 stations across the United States. She has discussed the book on most BBC local stations, including BBC York, Northampton, Guernsey, Cornwall, Solent, Hereford & Worcester, Derby and Oxford. Live radio exposure continues over the coming weeks, with BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms Show, Wandsworth Radio, Express FM’s The Soft Rock Show, K107FM Scotland, Wycombe Sound, Camglen Radio (Scotland), the Sticks Radio Show & podcast, BBC Radio Kent, Radio Caroline, Talk Radio’s The Paul Ross Show and Talk Radio Europe’s Bill Padley Show.
Lesley-Ann Jones’s agents are currently negotiating with two independent production majors on a screen adaptation of TUMBLING DICE.
Other recent works include ‘Hero: David Bowie’, ‘Imagine’, and ‘Ride a White Swan: The Lives and Death of Marc Bolan’. Her globally-acclaimed definitive biography of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, re-issued in 2019 as ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, is a Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller. The book accompanies the band’s long-awaited eponymous feature film, the highest-grossing music biopic of all time.
The author is currently working on two further titles, for publication in 2020.
She is a mother of three, and lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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May 11, 2024Oh WHY DID NO ONE TELL ME A NEW FREDDIE MERCURY BIOGRAPHY BY LESLEY-ANN JONES WOULD COME OUT THIS IS A HEINOUS CRIME
September 28, 2021
I've seen a few negative reviews of this book and to be honest a lot of them look as though the writers haven't fully read the book. I'm certainly glad I have.
After I read and loved the Author's previous book 'Who Killed John Lennon?: The lives, loves and deaths of the greatest rock star' I was looking forward to 'Love of My Life: The Life and Loves of Freddie Mercury.' I was not disappointed.
I do like how the author writes, her narrative keeps you wanting for more. She describes people and places without having to write a million words. For example, Freddie the great pretender...'posturing English eccentric with a faux plummy accent and a fake aristocratic air.' Brilliant!!
The book is certainly not a timeline biography, there's a lot of research and interviewing gone on with the people that knew Freddie such as Gita Choksi, David Wigg and Peter Freestone among others.
We know Freddie Mercury was a complex character, to have as much talent as he had there's always going to be flaws and there's some fascinating insights into Freddie's childhood and the effect it had on him in adulthood with the help of Psychotherapist, Richard Hughes.
A well researched piece of work that makes for interesting reading. Great chapter notes at the end of the book too.
After I read and loved the Author's previous book 'Who Killed John Lennon?: The lives, loves and deaths of the greatest rock star' I was looking forward to 'Love of My Life: The Life and Loves of Freddie Mercury.' I was not disappointed.
I do like how the author writes, her narrative keeps you wanting for more. She describes people and places without having to write a million words. For example, Freddie the great pretender...'posturing English eccentric with a faux plummy accent and a fake aristocratic air.' Brilliant!!
The book is certainly not a timeline biography, there's a lot of research and interviewing gone on with the people that knew Freddie such as Gita Choksi, David Wigg and Peter Freestone among others.
We know Freddie Mercury was a complex character, to have as much talent as he had there's always going to be flaws and there's some fascinating insights into Freddie's childhood and the effect it had on him in adulthood with the help of Psychotherapist, Richard Hughes.
A well researched piece of work that makes for interesting reading. Great chapter notes at the end of the book too.
Read
September 25, 2025🎤❤️⌛
September 14, 2021
Lesley-Ann Jones' latest book, Love Of My Life: The Life and Loves of Freddie Mercury is not her first biography on Freddie Mercury, however it is different to her previous works because this one tells his life around his loves rather than featuring them as background characters and features in his extraordinary life - which is, I have found, what the vast majority of other biographies do.
I always love LAJ's books because they get so up close and personal to the subject, and they always hold my attention - I never find myself boring of a particular point in the subject's life, or of the book as a whole because Lesley-Ann writes in a way that is not only interesting, but is fast paced and proactive without being too quick or too loose - she always includes a lot of detail and many alternative views on a situation. I like this, because it gives 360 vision on whomever the book is about and allows me to form a better, more complete opinion of the subject. More than this, however, it is clear that Lesley-Ann really cares about what she is writing about and that she is passionate about writing as a whole; I think this is important in writing a book, and firmly believe that it is clear to a reader when the author has not put their heart and soul, sweat and tears into a book. I think that to write a book - non fiction or otherwise - is to write a piece of yourself into the story which you are telling. Lesley-Ann Jones met Freddie Mercury on several occasions, and also met some of the other subjects of her previous books; notably David Bowie. She weaves these encounters into her recount of whose life she is telling, making a book relatable and very obvious to the reader that it is something which the author is completely enveloped in and has been for many years.
When I interviewed Lesley-Ann in 2020 for this blog, she gave a crucial piece of advice; "you should only write about individuals you feel passionate about, whose music you love or whose work you admire, and who you genuinely want to get to know. Don't do it for the money, but because you genuinely want to... because the thought of not doing it fills you with dread." Having written about Freddie Mercury first in 1997 and then rewriting that biography several times throughout the years, it is clear that he is a subject close to her heart - she followed her own advice - and now she has released another work on him, which is entirely different to any that she has done before. This is the story of Freddie's loves; Queen, his family, Mary Austin, Jim Hutton, and all the rest - and how they were major factors in his life.
But there is still one question, and I believe we will never have the answer to it...
I always love LAJ's books because they get so up close and personal to the subject, and they always hold my attention - I never find myself boring of a particular point in the subject's life, or of the book as a whole because Lesley-Ann writes in a way that is not only interesting, but is fast paced and proactive without being too quick or too loose - she always includes a lot of detail and many alternative views on a situation. I like this, because it gives 360 vision on whomever the book is about and allows me to form a better, more complete opinion of the subject. More than this, however, it is clear that Lesley-Ann really cares about what she is writing about and that she is passionate about writing as a whole; I think this is important in writing a book, and firmly believe that it is clear to a reader when the author has not put their heart and soul, sweat and tears into a book. I think that to write a book - non fiction or otherwise - is to write a piece of yourself into the story which you are telling. Lesley-Ann Jones met Freddie Mercury on several occasions, and also met some of the other subjects of her previous books; notably David Bowie. She weaves these encounters into her recount of whose life she is telling, making a book relatable and very obvious to the reader that it is something which the author is completely enveloped in and has been for many years.
When I interviewed Lesley-Ann in 2020 for this blog, she gave a crucial piece of advice; "you should only write about individuals you feel passionate about, whose music you love or whose work you admire, and who you genuinely want to get to know. Don't do it for the money, but because you genuinely want to... because the thought of not doing it fills you with dread." Having written about Freddie Mercury first in 1997 and then rewriting that biography several times throughout the years, it is clear that he is a subject close to her heart - she followed her own advice - and now she has released another work on him, which is entirely different to any that she has done before. This is the story of Freddie's loves; Queen, his family, Mary Austin, Jim Hutton, and all the rest - and how they were major factors in his life.
But there is still one question, and I believe we will never have the answer to it...
January 16, 2023
Not good
I've given the book one star because it doesn't try to sanitize what was, on occasion, a pretty messy life.
I have always enjoyed Queen's music and have always felt inexplicably drawn to Freddie Mercury (Ive never understood why exactly, but there you go). I've read most of the biographies and have come to the conclusion that while I admire and appreciate his work, I don't think I'd have liked him very much. It would seem that neither did Lesley -Ann Jones.
But disliking someone does not justify a badly written book. The writing is sloppy, repetitive and at times, incoherent. Nothing new is revealed apart from the author's opinions and conjecture. This is one to avoid.
I've given the book one star because it doesn't try to sanitize what was, on occasion, a pretty messy life.
I have always enjoyed Queen's music and have always felt inexplicably drawn to Freddie Mercury (Ive never understood why exactly, but there you go). I've read most of the biographies and have come to the conclusion that while I admire and appreciate his work, I don't think I'd have liked him very much. It would seem that neither did Lesley -Ann Jones.
But disliking someone does not justify a badly written book. The writing is sloppy, repetitive and at times, incoherent. Nothing new is revealed apart from the author's opinions and conjecture. This is one to avoid.
June 2, 2023
Interesting
The book is mostly interesting, although the author wastes time getting off subject. It's clear that the author doesn't like Mary. She's quite critical of the way she handles the home that Freddie left her and the ugly graffiti that she considers as tributes. I have a feeling that Mary would not give her an interview for this or the other book, which is why she dislikes her.
One thing the author and I agree on is that Freddie's traumatic childhood which lacked nurturing and affection from his parents had a negative outcome on his life, including the unhealthy choices he made.
The author gets some known facts off, which reduces my confidence in the accuracy of the book. That aside, as someone who has been a LONG time fan of Freddie's (since the late 70's) and a dislike of Jim Hutton for many years because of his book soon after Freddie's death, I now feel much compassion for Jim. Jim confirmed in his interviews with the author what I have suspected since reading his book weeks after its release in the 90's. Jim lied and embellished things in his book. He not only wasn't in the room when Freddie actually died, he also he exaggerated the "husband" and "honeymoon" stuff. I have thought for years that Freddie was not faithful to him, and that he treated Jim as one of his employees, but with "benefits" until Freddie was diagnosed and was told that Jim would not abandon him. Jim was clearly angry and hurt when he had the ghost writer author the book. Lesley's book based on interviews with Jim makes me believe that more. Freddie wasn't very nice to Jim at times, yet Jim was still madly in love with Freddie. His statements and realizations once he decided to face the truth made me very sad for him. I believe Jim loved Freddie until he took his last breath.
The author didn't spend a lot of time on Mary's relationship with Freddie, choosing to spend more time on Barbara. The Barbara portion was very interesting, although I took some of it with a grain of salt. Lesley clearly liked Barbara, perhaps because Barbara provided Lesley with a compassionate hand during a difficult time. I do NOT believe that Barbara and Freddie "made love" and certainly not on a regular basis, as Barbara claimed. She too was living in a fantasy world wishing for something that wasn't there. I do believe they had sexual encounters, but I think he had actual sex with men that were there, while "playing" around with her in the bed.
Lastly, Lesley says she knows where he is buried, and she has a photograph of the spot.
I would like to see more written on Freddie by this author based on actual interviews, but providing more specifics such as dates and sticking to the point. I would LOVE to pick her brain on many questions that I have. I do recommend this book.
The book is mostly interesting, although the author wastes time getting off subject. It's clear that the author doesn't like Mary. She's quite critical of the way she handles the home that Freddie left her and the ugly graffiti that she considers as tributes. I have a feeling that Mary would not give her an interview for this or the other book, which is why she dislikes her.
One thing the author and I agree on is that Freddie's traumatic childhood which lacked nurturing and affection from his parents had a negative outcome on his life, including the unhealthy choices he made.
The author gets some known facts off, which reduces my confidence in the accuracy of the book. That aside, as someone who has been a LONG time fan of Freddie's (since the late 70's) and a dislike of Jim Hutton for many years because of his book soon after Freddie's death, I now feel much compassion for Jim. Jim confirmed in his interviews with the author what I have suspected since reading his book weeks after its release in the 90's. Jim lied and embellished things in his book. He not only wasn't in the room when Freddie actually died, he also he exaggerated the "husband" and "honeymoon" stuff. I have thought for years that Freddie was not faithful to him, and that he treated Jim as one of his employees, but with "benefits" until Freddie was diagnosed and was told that Jim would not abandon him. Jim was clearly angry and hurt when he had the ghost writer author the book. Lesley's book based on interviews with Jim makes me believe that more. Freddie wasn't very nice to Jim at times, yet Jim was still madly in love with Freddie. His statements and realizations once he decided to face the truth made me very sad for him. I believe Jim loved Freddie until he took his last breath.
The author didn't spend a lot of time on Mary's relationship with Freddie, choosing to spend more time on Barbara. The Barbara portion was very interesting, although I took some of it with a grain of salt. Lesley clearly liked Barbara, perhaps because Barbara provided Lesley with a compassionate hand during a difficult time. I do NOT believe that Barbara and Freddie "made love" and certainly not on a regular basis, as Barbara claimed. She too was living in a fantasy world wishing for something that wasn't there. I do believe they had sexual encounters, but I think he had actual sex with men that were there, while "playing" around with her in the bed.
Lastly, Lesley says she knows where he is buried, and she has a photograph of the spot.
I would like to see more written on Freddie by this author based on actual interviews, but providing more specifics such as dates and sticking to the point. I would LOVE to pick her brain on many questions that I have. I do recommend this book.
March 27, 2024
Lesley-Ann Jones appears to have an axe to grind. What a bitter, resentful work of words. Every opportunity is taken to mock and put down Mary Austin.
Not a book to be recommended.
Not a book to be recommended.
June 25, 2024
totally amazing, made me change my perspective on a lot of things, and made me really appreciate freddie mercury and all his fucked up multitudes
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July 7, 2024Did not enjoy this.
January 3, 2026
I didn’t know much about Freddie Mercury, but fryer seeing Bohemian Rhapsody, I was curious to learn more about him. This was a good book in that regard.
July 9, 2025
I will say there were some really interesting facts in this book I had never heard but I find them really hard to believe. It is so obvious that most of the people who were interviewed (where she got these “facts” from) were in it for personal gain. I wanted a book about the celebration of Freddie Mercury’s Legacy and how it has continued to grow but instead it’s a self-motivated lecture about how horrible of a person he was. This seems like a poorly curated pop culture article that completely ignores the incredible talent that Freddie was and instead points out all of his inadequacies in his relationships. I will not be finishing this book and I regret giving a penny to this author.
September 19, 2021
I am angry with myself for wasting money on this book. The book is very biased against Freddie and presents only what the author perceives as his faults. She does not explore the positive sides of this brilliant, beautiful, generous, shy genius who has inspired so many and is still loved world-wide for his talent.
September 9, 2021
Do not see the point of this book. Large parts in my opinion is pure speculation. Very disappointed. I have given 3 stars purely for the photographs of Freddie in the middle of the book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews