A Life Less Ordinary: Freddie Mercury

‘I’m a human being. I’d like people to recognize the fact that I’m a human being.’

– Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury was a passionate collector throughout his life, from the pre-fame days, through his rock star journey, to his final weeks. In this special A Life Less Ordinary video, we encounter distinct aspects of Freddie Mercury - a private man, a collector, an art lover and bon vivant. His love of life, art, friendship, music, cats and joy is evident, as during his life, he worked to surround himself with beautiful objects, his beloved cats, and many cherished friends.

In this video, we hear from Peter Freestone, Freddie’s personal assistant and close friend, and the legendary designer Zandra Rhodes, who share their memories of Freddie, both as icon and man. And from Sotheby’s, Senior Director David Macdonald looks over the eclectic nature of Freddie’s expansive collections and his innate connoisseurship, across nearly 20 categories.

As Sotheby’s London hosts Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own this summer, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the private realm of a global icon through a series of six auctions in September, preceded by a public exhibition unlike anything that has been seen before.