During the early days of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the 1980s, the stigma that came with the disease often forced people to keep their conditions a secret.
Even the rich and famous had to take great pains to conceal it from the prying eyes of the media and the society at large.
While the stigma never fades away, there is much less of it now than decades ago.
Medical treatments have also improved to the point where people with HIV/AIDS can live long lives despite the lethal virus inside their bodies.
Many celebrities have chosen to be open about it, using their fame as a tool to promote public awareness.
Freddie Mercury was among the celebrities who fell victim to the stigma and was somewhat led to believe that he had to keep the struggle to himself.
Limited medical treatments at that time offered every little to relieve his pain and sufferings from the disease.
Those closest to him were aware of his condition, but Mercury never wanted it to be a burden to Queen and everyone else until his last days.
10 /10 Early Years
Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar City, Tanzania, on September 5, 1946) was one of the most recognizable British musicians, thanks to his flamboyant style.
The dynamic vocalist made his name in the history of rock through his performance as the frontman of Queen and with a string of hits from 1970 to the early 1990s.
His parents emigrated from India to Zanzibar.
As a child, Bulsara lived with his relatives and attended a boarding school in India. He moved back to Zanzibar at the age of 16.
9 /10 Smile And Freddie Mercury
During his teenage years in India, he became friends with drummer Roger Taylor and guitarist Brian May. At that time, the two musicians were members of the band Smile.
Bulsara also formed his band called the Hectics, where he was the pianist. When the lead singer of the band quit, Bulsara stepped up to fill the role as the front man in 1970.
Bulsara changed the band’s name to Queen and his name to Freddie Mercury. In 1971, bassist John Deacon joined the band.