Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury, the frontman of Queen, died on 24 November 1991 following complications from AIDS.

What Happened
According to Mercury's partner Jim Hutton, he was diagnosed with AIDS in late April 1987. The press pursued rumours of Mercury's illness, fueled by his increasingly frail appearance.

At the 1990 Brit Awards, Mercury joined Queen for what would be the final time to collect the award. In May 1991, he filmed the video for "These Are The Days of Our Lives", his final appearance in front of the camera. Shortly afterward, he retired to his London home, where his friend and former romantic partner Mary Austin became a source of comfort.

On the 23 November 1991, Mercury announced that he had AIDS. The next day, he succumbed to the illness.

Aftermath
Mercury's funeral was held on November 27, 1991, conducted by a Zoroastrian priest. He was cremated, and Mary Austin buried the ashes in an undisclosed location; the whereabouts are known only to Austin. The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert-a benefit in Mercury's memory-took place in April 1992, and the profits were used to launch the Mercury Phoenix Trust, a charity which fights AIDS.