Mabel Winifred Mary Wright

Mavis Wheeler (born Mabel Winifred Mary Wright in 1908, died 14 October 1970) was an English artist's model and known for her associations with prominent figures in the arts and society. She was also known by her married name, Mavis Cole.

She was born in Woolwich, Greater London. Wheeler was private about her familial background; she claimed her mother was "stolen by gypsies" as a child, and her father worked as a grocer's assistant. At age 16, she was employed as a scullery maid. During the 1926 United Kingdom General Strike, she traveled to London by hitchhiking, carrying a golf club, and subsequently took employment as a nursery governess for a clergyman's children in Wimbledon. The following year, she worked as a waitress at Veeraswamy, an Indian restaurant in London.

In the late 1920s, Wheeler became part of the social scene associated with the "Bright Young Things," a nickname given to a group of young socialites of the era. She met the Welsh artist Augustus John in 1928 at the Café Royal, when she was 19 and he was 50. She consented to model for him, and he painted her numerous times. During this period, she also met William Horace de Vere Cole, an Irish prankster known for elaborate hoaxes, including the 1910 Dreadnought hoax in which he and accomplices in blackface impersonated Abyssinian royalty and infiltrated a Royal Navy ship.

Wheeler cohabited with de Vere Cole for two years and married him in January 1931, following his divorce. During this time, she was also involved romantically with Augustus John, becoming his mistress. In 1935, she gave birth to Tristan de Vere Cole, who was John’s illegitimate son. Tristan was raised partly at Fryern Court, Fordingbridge, in John’s household, and later became a Royal Navy officer and television director. Tristan is regarded as the last surviving illegitimate son of Augustus John.

After the death of William Horace de Vere Cole in 1936, Wheeler visited 11 Downing Street to collect Cole’s belongings from his sister, Anne Cole. In 1937, she entered into a relationship with Sir Mortimer Wheeler, an archaeologist. At that time, she was still involved with Augustus John, and reportedly, John challenged Mortimer Wheeler to a duel, which was ultimately not held. Wheeler and Mortimer Wheeler married in March 1939; notable guests included novelist Agatha Christie and her husband Max Mallowan. Wheeler was his second wife; the marriage was reportedly strained, and Wheeler’s diaries indicated that Mortimer Wheeler had hit her during their relationship. They divorced in 1942, primarily on grounds of her adultery with Anthony Vivian, 5th Baron Vivian.

In July 1954, Wheeler was involved in a criminal incident when she was arrested for shooting and seriously wounding Lord Vivian at her country residence, Pilgrim Cottage, Potterne, Wiltshire. Lord Vivian, who was hospitalized, testified that he was shot while attempting to climb into her window after losing the key. He stated that he believed Wheeler did not intend to kill him and expressed ongoing devotion. Wheeler was found not guilty of attempted murder and of shooting with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; however, she was convicted of unlawful and malicious wounding and served a six-month sentence at Holloway Gaol. She was released in February 1955. Following her release, photographs show her strolling with Lord Vivian, with reports suggesting they resumed their relationship.

Mavis Wheeler died on 14 October 1970. Her life and relationships have been documented in a biography titled "Beautiful and Beloved," authored by her son Tristan de Vere Cole in collaboration with Roderic Owen, published in 1974 by Hutchinson. The book describes her as a “warm and impulsive woman,” a friend and confidante to many prominent 1930s figures, as well as a victim of the social customs of her time.