Marina Wheeler facts for kids

Marina Claire Wheeler is a British lawyer and writer. She was born on December 5, 1964. As a barrister, she is a type of lawyer who represents people in court. She specializes in public law, which deals with how the government works and people's rights. She was made a Queen's Counsel in 2016, which is a special title for experienced lawyers.

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

Early Life and School Days

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

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

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

Her Career as a Lawyer and Writer

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

As a barrister, Marina focuses on cases about mental health and fairness. In 2009, she joined a group that helps make sure lawyers follow the rules.

In February 2016, Marina Wheeler was given the special title of Queen's Counsel. This shows she is a very skilled and respected lawyer. In October 2023, she was asked to be an advisor for the Labour Party. Her role is to help protect women from unfair treatment and harassment at work.

Personal Life and Family

On May 8, 1993, Marina Wheeler married her childhood friend, Boris Johnson. They have four children together. Their marriage ended in 2020.

In August 2019, Marina shared that she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer earlier that year. She had two operations and is now in remission, meaning the cancer is under control.

Her Book: The Lost Homestead

In 2020, Marina Wheeler published her book, The Lost Homestead: My Mother, Partition and the Punjab. This book tells the story of her family's history in India. Her family came from a city called Sargodha, which is now in Pakistan. After the Partition of India, her mother's family moved to what is now India. The book was recognized for an award in 2021.