Brian May Shares Honest Update About His Health
Legendary Queen guitarist Brian May openly about the health problems he has faced recently. On Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, he talked about his stroke and other challenges, explaining how these moments reminded him how fragile life can be.
“I’ve had a number of things, yeah, the stroke was one of them,” May said. “I’ve been lucky, I get these things, but I seem to be able to get out of them. They give you a wake-up call.”
The Stroke and His Recovery
In August 2024, Brian May suffered a minor stroke that temporarily affected his ability to control his left arm. At first, this caused real fear because it threatened his ability to play guitar, a huge part of his life and identity. But soon after, he discovered he could still move his fingers even if his arm was weak. This gave him hope that his music career wasn’t over.
By December 2024, his wife, actor Anita Dobson, said he had “stabilized” and was “much better now.” She confirmed that he had regained full control of his arm, although it had been “a bit of a challenge.” During his recovery, May avoided playing instruments for a while, then slowly began practicing piano.
Just seven months after his stroke, in April 2025, Brian May surprised everyone by performing at Coachella. He played “Bohemian Rhapsody” with total confidence and full control of his guitar. Fans could clearly see that he had recovered and was enjoying being back on stage.
This was not the first health scare of his life. In May 2020, he had a small heart attack that he later described as leaving him “very near death.” Doctors found three blocked arteries and had to put in stents. He has also dealt with other medical issues caused by medications. All of this makes his recent recovery even more remarkable.
The Royal Mint Honors Freddie Mercury
While Brian May continues to inspire with his resilience, Queen’s legacy also lives on through a new tribute. According to Blabbermouth, the Royal Mint has released a special U.K. coin to celebrate Freddie Mercury, one of the greatest performers in rock history.
The coin shows Freddie Mercury in the middle of a live performance, with his signature included in the design. His famous four-octave vocal range is represented by a musical stave that circles the edge of the coin. The studded armband pattern on the edge is inspired by his outfit from the legendary Live Aid performance. Some versions of the coin even include color, bringing his iconic yellow jacket to life.
Freddie Mercury’s Sister Helps Make the First Coin
In a touching moment, Freddie’s sister, Kashmira Bulsara, visited The Royal Mint to strike the very first coin herself. This made her part of the historic tribute to her brother.
Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coins at The Royal Mint, said: “Having Kashmira visit us to strike the first Freddie Mercury coin was incredibly moving and made this project even more special. Freddie Mercury wasn’t just a musician; he was a force of nature who transformed every stage he stepped onto.”
She added that the detailed design including Freddie’s signature and the musical stave, makes this coin one of their most special commemorative pieces, saying, “This coin captures that electric energy and celebrates a truly global icon whose influence continues to inspire generations. The level of detail in this design, from his signature to the musical stave representing his incredible vocal range, makes this one of our most special commemorative pieces.”
Through Brian May’s inspiring recovery and The Royal Mint’s tribute to Freddie Mercury, it’s pretty clear that the legacy of Queen continues and it’s never going to end and that’s all that matters in the end.
