Chrissie Mullen, best known as Brian May’s first wife, has largely stayed out of the public spotlight in the years following her divorce from the iconic Queen guitarist. While her ex-husband, Brian May, became a household name with Queen, Chrissie’s life has been quieter, largely defined by her role as a mother and partner during the early years of Queen’s meteoric rise. In this article, we explore Chrissie’s life, marriage to Brian May, family, and what she’s been doing since their divorce.
Early Life and Background
Not much is publicly known about Chrissie Mullen’s early life. She was born Christine Mullen and grew up in the United Kingdom. Before meeting Brian May, she was reportedly a model, though details of her career prior to her marriage are largely unrecorded in public profiles. What is clear, however, is that she was part of the social circles that would later bring her into contact with May, who was forming his band Smile, which eventually became Queen.
Meeting Brian May and Marriage
Chrissie Mullen met Brian May during the early 1970s, a time when Queen was still evolving and Brian was establishing himself as the band’s lead guitarist. They shared a long-term relationship that eventually led to their marriage in May 1977. Their wedding took place during a pivotal period in Queen’s career when their popularity was beginning to soar with albums like A Night at the Opera and their iconic hit Bohemian Rhapsody.
At this time, Queen was quickly becoming a global phenomenon, and Chrissie supported Brian through the growing pressures of fame while managing their private life. While she was not in the public eye like some other rock wives, she was an important figure in Brian’s personal world and helped raise their three children together.
Chrissie Mullen Children Together
Chrissie and Brian May had three children during their marriage:
- James “Jimmy” May – Born 15 June 1978
- Louisa Mary May – Born 22 May 1981
- Emily Ruth May – Born 18 February 1987
As a mother, Chrissie helped raise their children through the ups and downs of Queen’s rapid rise to fame. The May family experienced both the excitement of global success and the personal challenges of managing life on tour, with Brian often away for months at a time. Despite the challenges of being married to a rock star, Chrissie’s primary focus remained on their children and supporting Brian’s career.
The End of Their Marriage
After more than a decade together, Chrissie Mullen and Brian May divorced in 1988. Their separation followed a combination of factors, including the pressures of Brian’s career, the strain of long tours, and a growing emotional distance between them. By the time of their divorce, Brian was involved in a relationship with actress Anita Dobson, which likely contributed to the breakdown of his marriage to Chrissie.
Chrissie’s life post-divorce remained private, and she chose to step away from the public eye. Unlike some spouses of rock stars, Chrissie never sought the limelight after their split. This decision to keep her life largely out of the public view means there’s little known about her personal life in the years following the divorce.
What Happened After the Divorce?
Since her divorce from Brian May, Chrissie Mullen has stayed away from the media. Unlike some of Brian May’s subsequent relationships, which became public and involved media attention, Chrissie focused on leading a more private life. She has not remarried, and her life has not been filled with the same public milestones that marked her years with Brian.
Though she has largely stayed out of the spotlight, Chrissie has remained a part of Queen’s history, remembered by fans for her role in the early years of Brian May’s personal life. Over time, she has remained a relatively mysterious figure, with little being shared about her current activities or whereabouts.
Is Chrissie Mullen Still Alive?
As of recent reports, Chrissie Mullen is still alive. There have been no credible reports about her death, and her whereabouts remain private. Her family and Brian May’s connections have kept details about her life post-divorce largely undisclosed. There is no evidence of her being involved in any public health issues, and speculation about her life has remained limited to personal choices rather than media coverage.
While she hasn’t been in the media for years, Chrissie’s life has continued quietly, and her role in Brian May’s early years remains a part of their shared history.
Did Chrissie Mullen Remarry?
There are no confirmed reports that Chrissie Mullen remarried after her divorce from Brian May. Following their separation, she chose to keep her personal life private, and there is no public information available suggesting she entered into another marriage. This lack of public engagement with her romantic life has led to speculation, but no verified details.
What Is Chrissie Mullen Doing Now?
Since the divorce, Chrissie Mullen has lived a private and quiet life. There have been no major reports or public sightings of her, and she has kept a low profile. Unlike other figures connected to Queen, Chrissie has avoided the public eye, which likely suits her preference for privacy.
It’s unclear what she is doing today, as no public statements or major social media accounts have been associated with her. Chrissie appears to be living life outside of the media circus that follows celebrity relationships. It’s likely that she has continued to focus on her family and personal interests, away from the public scrutiny that comes with being associated with a global icon like Brian May.
Conclusion
Chrissie Mullen’s life, intertwined with Brian May’s during Queen’s rise to fame, reflects the challenges faced by many partners of rock stars — balancing family life with the demands of a career that takes a person across the world. Her role as Brian May’s first wife remains significant in the history of Queen, but Chrissie herself has lived a life that remains largely private and disconnected from the limelight.
Her choice to remain out of the media after the divorce speaks to a desire for personal privacy and a commitment to her family. While little is known about her activities today, Chrissie’s legacy is quietly preserved in the history of one of rock’s greatest legends.