Marina Wheeler facts for kids

Marina Claire Wheeler (born December 5, 1964) is a British lawyer and writer. She is known for her work as a barrister, which is a type of lawyer in the UK. She specializes in public law, including cases about human rights. In 2016, she was given the special title of Queen's Counsel, which means she is a very experienced and respected lawyer.

She also wrote a book called The Lost Homestead: My Mother, Partition and the Punjab. Marina Wheeler was previously married to Boris Johnson, who used to be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Early Life and School

Marina Claire Wheeler was born in West Berlin on August 18, 1964. Her father, Charles Wheeler, was a journalist for the BBC. Her mother, Dip Singh, was from India. Marina has an older sister named Shirin.

Marina went to Bedales School and then the European School in Brussels. In the early 1980s, she studied at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, a part of Cambridge University. While there, she wrote for the student magazine Cantab.

At the European School, she became friends with Boris Johnson. He later became a journalist and a well-known politician.

Her Career as a Lawyer

After finishing her studies at Cambridge, Marina Wheeler went back to Brussels and worked there for four years. In 1987, she became a barrister. This means she was officially allowed to practice law. She worked from a law office in London.

As a barrister, Marina Wheeler focuses on cases involving mental health and discrimination. Discrimination means treating someone unfairly because of who they are. In 2004, she was chosen to be a Junior Counsel to the Crown. This is a special role where she advises the government on legal matters. In 2009, she joined the Bar Disciplinary Tribunal. This group helps make sure lawyers follow the rules.

In February 2016, she was given the title of Queen's Counsel. This is a very important title for barristers in the UK. It shows they are highly skilled and experienced in their field.

Her Family Life

On May 8, 1993, Marina Wheeler married her childhood friend, Boris Johnson. They had four children together. Their oldest child, Lara Lettice, was born on June 12, 1993.

In September 2018, Marina and Boris announced that they had separated after 25 years of marriage. They finalized their divorce in 2020.

Her Book: The Lost Homestead

In 2020, Marina Wheeler published her memoir, The Lost Homestead: My Mother, Partition and the Punjab. A memoir is a book about a person's own life and experiences. In her book, she shares her family's history in India.

Her family's roots go back to the city of Sargodha. This city is now in Pakistan. Her mother's family moved to what is now India after the Partition of India. The Partition was when British India was divided into two separate countries, India and Pakistan, in 1947. Her book was recognized for its quality and was shortlisted for the 2021 RSL Christopher Bland Prize.