Freddie Mercury was a legend in his own right. The Queen lead singer has gone down in history as a songwriter and performer of classics such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are The Champions,” and “Somebody to Love.” But the performer had another part of his life that isn’t often talked about: his extraordinary love for his pet cats.
That’s right, the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famer absolutely loved cats. He owned many of them and lavished attention on them to a legendary degree. While touring with the band, he often called home asking to talk to his beloved pets.
Over the course of his life, Mercury had at least 10 cats. But his only purebred cat was Tiffany, a gift from his friend Mary Austin. Mercury lavished love on cats both high-born and common. In fact, the singer went out of his way to adopt cats from shelters to save them from euthanasia.
His love for his kitties even made it into his song “Delilah,” a tribute to his favorite tortoiseshell: “You make me so very happy / When you cuddle up and go to sleep beside me / And then you make me slightly mad / When you pee all over my Chippendale suite.”
Mercury let his cats roam free throughout the house and yard during the day. As far as he was concerned, his kitties were in charge of the place. Sometimes, he joined them for some pleasant time outside.
2. There’s nothing better than a kitty on each arm.
Mercury lavished attention on his cats and was known to give them individual Christmas stockings every year. If any of them were ever harmed, he became extremely worried.
When he was on tour, Mercury regularly called to check in on his beloved felines. His long-time friend Mary Austin would put each cat on the phone in turn so that Mercury could chat.
Anyone who owns a cat knows that they don’t always want to cuddle, especially when they’re ready to romp outside! But even Freddie Mercury gave his kitties a snuggle against their will.
He was totally absorbed in them. He provided them a lot of time and attention whenever he could. He even gave them presents and let them have complete freedom to roam his property.
Much of his life was spent on the road, touring with the band and performing for fans around the world. For Mercury, “home” meant being with his beloved pets.
20. They were allowed to roam freely where they liked.
20 photos that show how Freddie Mercury loved his cats as if they were his kids
Cedric Jackson
03.05.19
Freddie Mercury was a legend in his own right. The Queen lead singer has gone down in history as a songwriter and performer of classics such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Are The Champions,” and “Somebody to Love.” But the performer had another part of his life that isn’t often talked about: his extraordinary love for his pet cats.
That’s right, the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Famer absolutely loved cats. He owned many of them and lavished attention on them to a legendary degree. While touring with the band, he often called home asking to talk to his beloved pets.
Over the course of his life, Mercury had at least 10 cats. But his only purebred cat was Tiffany, a gift from his friend Mary Austin. Mercury lavished love on cats both high-born and common. In fact, the singer went out of his way to adopt cats from shelters to save them from euthanasia.
His love for his kitties even made it into his song “Delilah,” a tribute to his favorite tortoiseshell: “You make me so very happy / When you cuddle up and go to sleep beside me / And then you make me slightly mad / When you pee all over my Chippendale suite.”
