Who Is Jim Hutton? New Details On Freddie Mercury's Longtime Boyfriend
He was with Mercury from the mid-1980s until his death in 1991.
Instagram Freddie Mercury and Queen are being introduced to a whole new audience in the film Bohemian Rhapsody. The flamboyant singer had two great loves in his life: Mary Austin and Jim Hutton. Mercury largely kept his private life exceptionally private. Jim Hutton, who was with Mercury from the mid-1980s until his death in 1991, told The Times of London: “He might have worried about how coming out would have affected him professionally but he didn’t say that. We both thought our relationship, and being gay, was our business.” Who is Jim Hutton?
1. How did they meet?
In 1984, Freddie Mercury spotted Jim Hutton in a gay nightclub in London called Heaven. Mercury offered to buy him a drink. Hutton had a boyfriend at the time and turned Freddie down. About a year later, Mercury ran into Hutton again and decided to offer to buy Hutton a drink again. This time he said yes. They went on a day and quickly fell in love. About a year later, Hutton moved into Mercury's "Garden Lodge" mansion in London.
2. Did he know who Freddie was?
As the story goes, when Freddie offered to buy Hutton a drink at the bar in 1984, Hutton didn't know who he was. Mercury told him his name and what he did for a living. Hutton still didn't know who he was. Hutton was from Ireland. He was one of seven children. He was a hairdresser who was working at the posh Savoy Hotel.
3. They wore wedding bands
Mercury and Hutton never officially married. Mercury never officially came out publicly as gay. Nonetheless, Mercury referred to Hutton as "my husband" and the two men wore wedding rings, signifying their commitment to each other.
4. HIV
Freddie Mercury was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987. He did not confirm his diagnosis in the press until just before he died. When he was diagnosed, he informed Hutton and reportedly told him that he'd understand if Hutton wanted to end their relationship. Hutton told him, "I love you Freddie, I'm not going anywhere. Hutton stood by Mercury's side, caring for him alongside Mary Austin for years. He was with him when he died. Hutton was diagnosed as HIV positive in 1990. It took him a year to tell Mercury that he had also been diagnosed with AIDS.
5. Last conversation with Freddie
In 2006, Hutton gave an interview about one of his last moments with Mercury to the Sunday Times. He said: "The last proper conversation we had took place a few days before he died. It was 6 am. He wanted to look at his paintings. 'How am I going to get downstairs?' he asked. 'I'll carry you,' I said. But he made his own way, holding on to the banister. I kept in front to make sure he didn't fall. I brought a chair to the door, sat him in it, and flicked on the spotlights, which lit each picture. He said, 'Oh they're wonderful'. I carried him upstairs to bed. He said, "I never realized you were as strong as you are'."
6. Mercury and Me
In 1994, Hutton wrote and published a memoir about his time with Freddie called Mercury and Me. In the book, Hutton shared never before seen candid photos of his time with Mercury and shared the details of his relationship with the famous singer. He said in an interview after the book was released that writing it helped him deal with the grief he felt after Freddie's death.
7. His death
Hutton passed away on January 1, 2010 from lung cancer. He was 60 years old and just three days away from turning 61. It was long assumed that Hutton passed away from complications of AIDS, but it was actually cigarette smoking that got him first.
Amy Lamare is a Los Angeles based freelance writer covering entertainment, pop culture, beauty, fashion, fitness, technology, and the intersection of technology, business, and philanthropy. She is deeply devoted to her chocolate Labrador and an avid long distance runner. You can find her on Instagram and Facebook.