Freddie Mercury’s previously undisclosed daughter, known as Bibi, has passed away at the age of 48 following a battle with a rare form of spinal cancer. Her husband, Thomas, confirmed her death, stating she died “peacefully after a long battle with chordoma, a rare spinal cancer, leaving two sons aged nine and seven.” The family resided in France.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Thomas added, “B is now with her beloved and loving father in the world of thoughts. Her ashes were scattered to the wind over the Alps.” The revelation of Bibi’s existence came from author Lesley-Ann Jones in her book Love, Freddie, where she was previously known only as “B.”
The Unveiling of a Hidden Legacy
Lesley-Ann Jones, who became a close friend of Bibi, expressed her devastation at the news. “I am devastated by the loss of this woman who became my close friend, who had come to me with a selfless aim: to brush aside all those who have had free rein with Freddie’s story for 32 years, to challenge their lies and their rewriting of his life, and to deliver the truth,” she stated.
In May 2025, Bibi publicly confirmed her paternity through a DNA test, 34 years after the Queen frontman’s death. Mercury, who died in 1991 at age 45 from complications related to AIDS, reportedly fathered a child during a brief affair in 1976. The book, released in September 2025, is based on 17 volumes of journals Mercury supposedly gave Bibi before his death.
A Life Lived in the Shadows
In August, Bibi shared her emotional journey, revealing, “I didn’t want to share my Dad with the whole world. After his death, I had to learn to live with the attacks against him, the misrepresentations of him, and with the feeling that my Dad now belonged to everyone. I cried and mourned my Dad, while fans all around the world mourned Freddie. When you are 15 years old, it’s not easy. I had to become an adult without him, and live all the structuring moments and events without his support.”
According to Jones, Bibi’s battle with cancer began when she was “very young,” leading to frequent relocations for treatment. The cancer returned after a period of remission, prompting Bibi to contact Jones in 2021 to share her story. “We worked together for four years to get the book written and published – on borrowed time,” Jones noted.
A Journey of a Lifetime
Despite her illness, Bibi embarked on a significant trip to South America with her family, fulfilling her dream of visiting Machu Picchu. “Against the odds, she was able to get to the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu, her ‘bucket list’ destination,” Jones recalled. Following their return, Bibi underwent intensive chemotherapy treatment.
Controversy and Denial
Mary Austin, Mercury’s close friend and former fiancée, has denied any knowledge of Bibi’s existence, despite Bibi’s claims. “The truth is that I am simply not the guardian of such a secret. I’ve never known of any child, or of any diaries. If Freddie had indeed had a child without me knowing anything about it, that would be astonishing to me,” Austin stated.
The book also suggests that Mercury’s bandmates were aware of Bibi. Anita Dobson, wife of bandmate Brian May, told The Telegraph, “Why wait this long? Brian thinks it’s a load of rubbish. I knew Freddie really, really well – I was a good friend of his – and I think Brian would trust me with that knowledge.”
In response to skepticism about the DNA test, Jones assured, “To those ‘demanding’ to see proof of a DNA test, otherwise they won’t believe it – please rest assured that the requisite verification was obtained, legal teams have been involved, but that such measures are private & not shared publicly.”
“He adored me and was devoted to me. The circumstances of my birth may seem, by most people’s standards, unusual and even outrageous. That should come as no surprise. It never detracted from his commitment to love and look after me. He cherished me like a treasured possession.” — Passage from Love, Freddie
Bibi’s story, while shrouded in mystery and controversy, sheds new light on the personal life of one of music’s most iconic figures. As the world continues to celebrate Freddie Mercury’s legacy, the revelation of his daughter adds a poignant chapter to his storied life.
