Jer Bulsara: Who Was Freddie Mercury’s Mother?

Jer Bulsara is the mother of the late singer and songwriter Freddie Mercury. Jer’s son Freddie was admired by several people all over the world, particularly for his vocal abilities (four-octave vocal range) and his live performances. He was regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music. He was the lead vocalist and pianist of the rock band Queen.

Jer Bulsara: Bio Summary

Who Was Freddie Mercury’s Mother, Jer Bulsara?

Jer Bulsara was born on 16 October 1922, in Gujarat, India. She was born to her parents whose identity and details are unavailable. She was from the Parsi community of western India. As a Parsis, she practiced Zoroastrianism. There isn’t much information about her childhood and family. She was the wife of Bomi Bulsara (1908–2003) who worked as a cashier.

Jer Bulsara and Bomi Bulsara had two children. Their first child, a son Freddie Mercury was born Farrokh Bulsara, on 5 September 1946, in Stone Town, Sultanate of Zanzibar. Their second child was a daughter, Kashmira Bulsara also known as Kashmira Cooke. She was born in the year 1952 in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Jer loved and cared for her husband and children.

Jer and her family moved to Zanzibar so that her husband Bomi could continue his job as a cashier at the British Colonial Office. Due to the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution, in which thousands of Arabs and Indians were killed, Jer and her family fled from Zanzibar to England. Jer lived privately and didn’t share much about her life with the public. Her son Freddie Mercury became a singer and songwriter.

Freddie achieved worldwide fame as the lead vocalist and pianist of the rock band Queen. He worked as a solo artist. He was gay and didn’t tell his family. His mother Jer was asked during an interview if Freddie had spoken to her about his sexuality but she responded “No”. “He didn’t want to upset us. At that time… Society was different then. Nowadays, it’s all so open, isn’t it?” she said.

Unfortunately, Jer’s son passed away. She said; “It was a very sad day when he died in November 1991, but according to our religion when it is the right time you cannot change it. You have to go. God loved him more and wanted him with Him and that is what I keep in my mind.”

“No mother wants to see her son die, but, at the same time, he has done more for the world in his short life than many people could do in 100 years.”

ALSO, READ: Bomi Bulsara: What Happened To Freddie Mercury’s Father?

Jer Bulsara’s Relationship With Her Son

Jer Bulsara and her son Freddie Mercury were very close. They had an adorable mother-and-son relationship. Jer was very supportive of Freddie’s music career and was even close to Freddie’s band, Queen members. Queen’s Brian May said that Jer was always a keen follower of the band’s progress and she often showed up when they had a gig nearby.

One night before a show in London, Freddie Mercury announced his mother’s presence. “Mother’s in the audience tonight. Better throw in a few extra ‘f—ks !” Brian May said there was never any sign that Jer was shocked. After Freddie died, she remained close to his band members. The Queen members “always consulted” her in their work that continued after Freddie died.

“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,” Brian May said of Jer Bulsara.

What Happened To Jer Bulsara?

Jer Bulsara died on 13 November 2016, at age 94, in Nottingham, Nottingham Unitary Authority, Nottinghamshire, England. Her daughter Kashmira Bulsara confirmed the news of her death in a statement to the press. She disclosed that Jer died in her sleep. Queen’s Brian May paid tribute to Jer his late bandmate Freddie Mercury’s mother on his website:

“Jer was a warm and devoted Mum to Freddie, and, like Freddie, always had a strong twinkle in the eye. Although she was also devoted to her husband Bomi, and lived in the Zoroastrian faith as a good Parsee, she had an independent spirit and a strong sense of humour. Of course I knew her for over 50 years, and when I first used to go around to Freddie’s parents’ house in Feltham, only a few yards from where I lived, in our student days, Jer was a busy Mum, full of life and optimism.”

Brian May made it known that Jer Bulsara was “fiercely proud of her children, Freddie and Kashmira.” He said “Jer was always a keen follower of our progress as a band, and always came to see us when we played nearby, always with huge enthusiasm. Freddie was very close to his Mum, and, I think, took a mischievous pleasure in trying to shock her.”

ALSO, READ: Kashmira Bulsara: Where Is Freddie Mercury’s Sister Now?

In keeping with her Parsee religion, Jer Bulsara was to receive a private Zoroastrian funeral ceremony. Her husband Bomi Bulsara died on 26 December 2003, at aged 95. Her son Freddie Mercury died from bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS, on 24 November 1991, at age 45, in Kensington, London, England. Although he was diagnosed with AIDS, he kept it a secret.

Freddie Mercury announced his diagnosis in a statement. The statement was released about 24 hours before he died. The statement read: “Following the enormous conjecture in the press over the last two weeks, I wish to confirm that I have been tested HIV positive and have AIDS. I felt it correct to keep this information private to date to protect the privacy of those around me.”

“However, the time has come now for my friends and fans around the world to know the truth and I hope that everyone will join with me, my doctors and all those worldwide in the fight against this terrible disease. My privacy has always been very special to me and I am famous for my lack of interviews. Please understand this policy will continue.”