What Happened to Freddie Mercury’s Cats After His Death?

Freddie Mercury, the legendary frontman of Queen, was known for his larger-than-life persona and deep love for his pets. He adored his feline companions and provided them with love, care, and a home. After his untimely death in 1991, his estate and his cats were left in the care of Mary Austin, a woman he was engaged to. Today, we delve into the lives of these beloved cats and what happened to them after Freddie’s passing.

The Cats of Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury was known to have housed a total of ten cats at different points in his life. Each had its own personality and had significant places in the heart of the rockstar. Here are the names of his feline friends:

Among them, Delilah was Freddie’s favorite. She was a beautiful calico cat cherished by the rockstar for her affection and companionship.

The Fate of the Cats

After Freddie’s death, all five of his cats were given to Mary Austin. At that time, she may have found it too difficult to care for the five cats, which prompted her to rehome two. However, the details of which cats were rehomed are not entirely clear. Despite these changes, the story of Freddie’s last cat, Oscar, the ginger cat, continues to touch the hearts of fans.

According to personal accounts, Oscar had a significant role in Freddie's final days. He was seen with Mercury in his last known photo just before his death, indicating that he was a constant companion to the dying rockstar. Sadly, Oscar eventually wandered away from his home some time after Freddie’s passing.

Delilah’s Last Days

Delilah, Freddie’s favorite cat, lived a long and happy life. Some reports suggest that she was around twenty years old when she passed away, which, for a cat, is a remarkable age. A touching moment from one of Freddie's personal assistants, Peter Freestone, shares how Delilah was remembered during visits to Mary Austin. She was frail and very old, but remembered Freddie and was able to fall asleep on his lap for over two hours. Mary Austin buried Delilah in Freddie's beloved garden, a gesture that reflects the deep bond between the rockstar and his beloved cat.

What Happened to the Other Cats?

The story of the other cats, particularly Goliath, Lily, Miko, and Romeo, brings to light some of the challenges faced by Mary Austin in caring for multiple cats. Romeo, being aggressive and traumatizing to the other cats, particularly Delilah, Goliath, and Miko, posed a significant challenge. This situation became so intolerable that Mary Austin had to take legal action to retain ownership of Oscar after Romeo was removed from the household. The other cats were eventually rehomed in homes that better suited their needs.

It is widely believed that all of the cats have since passed away. While there are speculations around where they might be buried, the most probable scenario is that they are reunited with Freddie in a peaceful afterlife.

It is essential to recognize that Mary Austin did not leave the rehomed cats at an animal shelter. Instead, she gave them to friends and neighbors who could provide a better environment for them. Further, the cats each had unique backgrounds, with Delilah and Goliath being strays, Tiffany a gift from Mary, and at least two being impulse buys from a local pet shop. Mary’s genuine love for cats is evident from how she cared for them, especially Delilah, who lived a long and comfortable life.