From Allegra Mostyn-Owen to Carrie Johnson: The Complex Romantic Journey of Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has had a public and often tumultuous romantic life, marked by multiple marriages, children, and widely reported affairs. His relationships have frequently intersected with his political career, drawing considerable media attention and shaping public perception. From his early academic romances to his current marriage, Johnson's personal life has been a subject of continuous public interest, reflecting a journey of evolving partnerships and significant milestones.

Johnson's first marriage was to Allegra Mostyn-Owen, an artist and daughter of art historian William Mostyn-Owen. They met while students at Oxford University and married in 1987. Their union was relatively brief and took place when Johnson was still early in his career. The marriage ended in 1993, reportedly due to Johnson's infidelity, a pattern that would recur in his later relationships.

Soon after his divorce from Mostyn-Owen, Johnson married Marina Wheeler, a barrister and childhood friend, in 1993. This was his longest and most significant marriage, lasting for 25 years. The couple had four children together: Lara Lettice, Milo Arthur, Cassia Peaches, and Theodore Apollo. Marina Wheeler, a highly respected lawyer, largely maintained a private life despite her husband's escalating public profile.

Throughout his marriage to Marina Wheeler, Boris Johnson was subject to numerous reports of extramarital affairs, which often made headlines and caused significant personal and political challenges. One of the most widely reported was with Petronella Wyatt, a journalist, in the early 2000s, which led to his dismissal from the Conservative shadow cabinet in 2004. Another notable alleged affair involved Helen Macintyre, an arts consultant, with whom he reportedly had a daughter in 2009. These incidents, while damaging to his public image, did not immediately lead to the end of his marriage to Wheeler.

A particularly high-profile alleged affair involved Jennifer Arcuri, an American technology entrepreneur, which came to light during Johnson's tenure as Mayor of London. Reports suggested that Arcuri received preferential treatment and public funds due to her close relationship with Johnson. While Johnson consistently denied any impropriety, the allegations triggered an investigation by the London Assembly and a referral to the police watchdog, though no criminal charges were brought. The scandal further strained his marriage to Wheeler and contributed to their eventual separation.

In September 2018, Boris Johnson and Marina Wheeler announced their separation, confirming they had been living apart for some time. Their divorce was finalized in early 2020. The end of their long marriage marked a significant turning point in Johnson's personal life, coinciding with his bid for and eventual ascent to the leadership of the Conservative Party and the prime ministership.

Following his separation from Wheeler, Johnson's relationship with Carrie Symonds (now Carrie Johnson) became public. Symonds, a former Conservative Party communications director, moved into Johnson's flat in South London, making them the first unmarried couple to live in Downing Street. Their relationship quickly became a subject of intense media scrutiny, particularly after a widely reported domestic dispute at their home in June 2019. Despite the controversy, their relationship progressed rapidly.

Boris Johnson and Carrie Symonds announced their engagement in February 2020 and revealed they were expecting a child. Their son, Wilfred Lawrie Nicholas Johnson, was born in April 2020. The couple then surprised the nation by secretly marrying at Westminster Cathedral on May 29, 2021, making Johnson the first Prime Minister to marry while in office in 199 years. The wedding was a small, intimate ceremony attended by close family and friends, followed by a larger celebration later.

The couple welcomed their second child, a daughter named Romy Iris Charlotte Johnson, in December 2021. Their third child, a son named Frank Alfred Odysseus Johnson, was born in July 2023, after Johnson had left office. Carrie Johnson has maintained a more public profile than his previous wives, often accompanying him to official events and engaging in environmental activism. Their marriage has been characterized by a blend of traditional family life and modern political partnership, with Carrie often seen as a key figure in Johnson's inner circle.

Boris Johnson's romantic history reflects a complex interplay of personal choices, public scrutiny, and political ambition. From his early marriages and reported affairs to his current family life with Carrie Johnson, his relationships have consistently been a part of his public narrative. His journey through multiple high-profile partnerships has cemented his image as a figure whose personal life is as much a subject of fascination as his political career.