Ava Anderson, Viscountess Waverley

Ava Anderson, Viscountess Waverley (formerly Wigram, née Bodley; 12 December 1895 – 22 December 1974), styled as Lady Anderson from 1941 until 1952, was an English political and social hostess at the centre of government during the Second World War. Winston Churchill noted "her contact with gt. affairs". It was said that she had "more indirect influence than any woman of her generation".

Life Waverley was born in France to Evelyn Frances (born Bell) and John Edward Courtenay Bodley. Her grandfather was John Bell and her cousin was the adventurer Gertrude Bell. Her brother was the writer R. V. C. Bodley and another brother was the artist Josselin Reginald Courtenay Bodley. She was brought up in France where her father was based. She met talented diplomat Ralph Wigram in Algiers where he was on holiday from his position of First Secretary at the British Embassy in Paris. They married in 1925 and his career was advanced by her communication and entertaining skills.

When her husband died in 1936 she continued to entertain and network. It was said that she was welcome at any of the London embassies as well as at great houses like Arundel and Belvoir Castle. Within two years she had found a new admirer in the quiet John Anderson, 1st Viscount Waverley. She was the socialite and he was stand-offish but entranced by Ava. He was at the centre of government during the second world war and when they married in 1941 he was one of the top four politicians in the country. She had the empathetic skills that her husband lacked, and Churchill noted that he found her useful. Some referred to her husband as the "Home Prime Minister"

Waverley died in Seaford in 1974 and was buried with her son. The Times said that she "probably exercise more indirect influence than any woman of her generation". She left many letters, unlike her second husband who was noted for writing very little.

She was portrayed by Diane Fletcher in Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years and by Lena Headey in The Gathering Storm.