Current Whereabouts of Joan Hannington: Exploring the Life of the CW’s Joan Subject

The CW has officially premiered the first episode of Joan, a gripping television series inspired by the life of the infamous diamond thief, Joan Hannington. Hannington is regarded as one of the most prolific figures in the underworld of diamond theft. Throughout the 1980s, she collaborated with Benny Boisie to carry out numerous heists, engage in cheque fraud, and commit significant diamond thefts, amassing considerable wealth in the process.

Despite her criminal lifestyle, Hannington longed for a peaceful family life and ultimately chose to leave her life of crime behind after Boisie’s tragic death during an insurance fraud scheme that involved setting fire to a house. Following this incident, she redirected her focus toward raising her son and pursuing legitimate avenues for making a living.

Today, in her 60s, Joan Hannington resides a tranquil life on the South Coast of England, where she enjoys the company of her son, grandchild, and dogs. She even authored a memoir detailing her experiences and assisted Sophie Turner in preparing for her role as Joan in the series.

Who is Joan Hannington and How Did She Enter a Life of Crime?

Born in Acton, Joan Hannington endured a challenging childhood marked by physical and emotional abuse. Fleeing her home at the tender age of 13, she sought independence. At 17, she entered her first marriage and became a mother to her daughter Debbie. However, due to her young age and financial struggles, she had to give Debbie up to foster care.

In her quest to earn enough money to support her daughter, she found employment at a jewelry store and infamously resorted to stealing loose diamonds by swallowing them, hoping to accumulate enough wealth to reclaim her daughter. This method of theft would eventually become her primary source of income.

Although Hannington began to generate significant income through her diamond thefts, she was still unable to regain custody of her daughter due to run-ins with the law. It was during this period that she crossed paths with Ronald Thomas Hannington, better known as Benny Boisie, an art dealer involved in a variety of illicit activities.

The duo embarked on numerous successful heists together, leading to a lavish lifestyle characterized by expensive homes, luxurious trips, and flashy cars.

Why Did Joan Hannington Leave Behind a Life of Crime?

Joan Hannington became a mother again with Boisie, marking the beginning of her contemplation about leaving the criminal world to focus on raising her son. The decisive moment came when Benny Boisie died during a botched insurance fraud attempt, where he attempted to burn down a house.

Following his death, Joan decided to sell Boisie’s antique shop and relocated to Islington, where she launched a legitimate business refurbishing old houses. Although her past would frequently resurface, including facing an assassination attempt, she remained resolute in her commitment to avoid returning to her former life.

Where is Joan Hannington Now?

Now in her 60s, Joan Hannington has settled on the South Coast of England, sharing her peaceful life with her cherished dogs and spending time with her son and granddaughter. Unfortunately, despite her attempts, she has been unable to reconcile her relationship with her daughter.

In 2002, she published a memoir that achieved significant success, attracting the interest of Hollywood executives; however, the adaptation process took many years to realize. In 2024, she released an updated version of her memoir, coinciding with the launch of the series based on her remarkable life.

Hannington suffers from multiple ulcers due to her past habit of swallowing diamonds and deals with the lingering effects of her former life of crime. Nevertheless, she currently enjoys the fruits of her labor and her luxurious retirement.

For a detailed account of Joan Hannington’s life, refer to the series coverage.

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