According to his partner Jim Hutton, Mercury was diagnosed with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AIDS - AIDS shortly after Easter of 1987. ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mercury#cite_note-Teeman_2006-53 - [54]} Around that time, Mercury claimed in an interview to have tested negative for the virus. ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mercury#cite_note-Cain_2006-26 - [27]} Despite the denials, the British press pursued the rampant rumours over the next few years, fuelled by Mercury's increasingly gaunt appearance, Queen's absence from touring, and reports from former lovers to various tabloid journals. ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mercury#cite_note-Bret_1996_138-54 - [55]} Toward the end of his life, he was routinely stalked by photographers, while the daily tabloid newspaper http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sun_%28newspaper%29 - The Sun featured a series of articles claiming that he was seriously ill.

On 22 November 1991, Mercury called Queen's manager Jim Beach over to his Kensington home, to discuss a public statement. The next day, 23 November, the following announcement was made to the press on behalf of Mercury: ^{http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mercury#cite_note-Bret_1996_179-55 - [56]}

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.