Freddie Mercury’s mum Jer Bulsara, who lived in Nottingham, has died at age 94.
The Mapperley resident passed away “peacefully in her sleep”, said Freddie’s former Queen bandmate Brian May.
May announced the news on his official website, saying Jer had passed away last Sunday, November 13.
She had lived in Mapperley for most of the latter part of her life and was still close to May and other Queen members.
The band had continued to consult her on Queen projects following Freddie’s death in 1991.
“Jer was a warm and devoted Mum to Freddie, and, like Freddie, always had a strong twinkle in the eye,” said May.
He added: “She was with us all the way. She loved the fact that Freddie’s spirit lived on so strongly in the work we were doing, and that Freddie was always a physical part of our live shows.
“In private moments with us, away from the glare of the spotlights, in latter years Jer was always ready with a cup of tea when we visited, and we were always able to speak about ‘My Freddie’ without shyness, feeling that he was not far away.”
Freddie was born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar in 1946, moving to London with his family in his mid-teens.
He formed Queen in 1970 and died aged 45 in 1991 after suffering from an AIDS-related illness.
A Nottingham care worker who helped look after Jer in her later years, who asked not to be named, told Notts TV News: “As a healthcare professional who knew Jer in the twilight of her years, I was very sad to hear of her passing. She was a kind, gentle and dignified lady. She had an inner strength that would see her fight many ups and downs of ever-declining health with resilience and vigour.
“My abiding memories of her will always be her warmth, her smile and her stories. A smile that, regardless of how unwell she felt, would never fail to bring a few rays of sunshine, and quite often stories of Zanzibar, to any room.
“Jer, you will be sincerely missed by us all.”