'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAf/aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAwyqD/8QAHhAAAgICAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgMBBAARISMxUWH/2gAIAQEAAT8AA0HQWZK7FNGYL5vxlq4uxac4kjthyc8e5z//xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAf/aAAgBAgEBPwCP/8QAFREBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQD/2gAIAQMBAT8AW//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The CW has debuted the first episode of Joan, a television series based on the life of the notorious diamond thief, Joan Hannington, widely considered one of the most prolific in the business. Over a long period in the 1980s, Hannington worked with Benny Boisie to commit several heists, cheque frauds, and diamond theft, which brought her immense wealth.
However, being a woman who preferred family life and peace over the limelight of being a notorious criminal, she eventually quit the life of crime after Boisie died while trying to commit insurance fraud by burning down a house. She focused on raising her son and moved to more legitimate ways of making money.
As of now, she is in her 60s and lives a quiet life on the South Coast of England, which she shares with her son, grandchild, and dogs. She even wrote a memoir and helped Sophie Turner prepare for the role of playing her in Joan.
Trending
Who is Joan Hannington and how did she get into the life of crime?
Born in Acton, Joan Hannington faced a difficult childhood filled with physical and mental abuse. At 13, she ran away from home and tried to do something of her own. At 17, she got married for the first time and had her first daughter, Debbie. However, due to her age and financial condition, she had to give her daughter away to foster care.
Trying to earn enough money to raise her daughter, she started working at a jeweler, and one day stole some loose diamonds by swallowing them in hopes it would earn her enough money to retrieve her daughter. This would go on to become her primary method of stealing, which would get her immense wealth in the future.
Though she started making money by stealing diamonds, she could not get her daughter back due to a minor infraction with the law. She eventually met Ronald Thomas Hannington, aka Benny Boisie, an art dealer with a side business that involved a hoard of illegal activities.
The duo did several heists together, eventually making a lot of money. She soon started enjoying a privileged lifestyle, ridden with expensive houses, holidays, and cars.
Why did Joan Hannington quit the life of crime?
Joan Hannington eventually had a baby with Boisie. This was when she first considered moving away from the life of crime and raising her baby boy. The final push came when Benny Boisie died while trying to burn down a house for insurance fraud.
After his death, she decided to sell his antique shop and move to Islington, where she started a legal business of refurbishing old houses. Though her past often came catching up to her, which included an assassination attempt on her life, she never turned back to the life of crime.
Where is Joan Hannington now?
Now over 60 years old, Joan Hannington has moved to the South Coast of England, where she lives with her beloved dogs. She also spends time with her son and granddaughter. She could not fix her relationship with her daughter despite trying hard.
She went on to write a memoir in 2002, which became a huge hit. It also attracted the attention of Hollywood executives, but the project took decades to materialize. In 2024, she wrote an updated memoir, which came out with the series based on her life.
She reportedly has multiple ulcers from swallowing diamonds and deals with the effects of her life of crime. But she continues to enjoy her retirement with her immense wealth right now.
Joan covers the life of Joan Hannington in detail.
