Joan Hannington Biography
Joan Hannington, born in 1957 in London’s East End, is one of the most notorious British jewel thieves, famously dubbed the “Godmother” of London’s criminal underworld. Her childhood was marked by poverty and abuse, leading her to run away from home at the age of 13. She entered a turbulent marriage at 17, had her daughter Debbie, and eventually became deeply involved in crime, including diamond theft, to support her efforts to reclaim her daughter from foster care.
Joan’s criminal career peaked in the 1980s, where she became infamous for stealing diamonds by swallowing them and selling them through fences. She lived a life of extreme luxury, driving expensive cars, wearing designer clothes, and living in high-end hotels, all while maintaining a council flat. Joan’s second husband, Donald “Boisie” Hannington, was also involved in high-level criminal activities. However, his death while attempting an arson plot led Joan to reconsider her life in crime.
Joan eventually transitioned out of the criminal world, moving to Islington and starting a legal business renovating houses. She shared her story in her memoir I Am What I Am in the early 2000s, which became a bestseller and was later adapted into the 2024 ITV drama Joan, starring Sophie Turner. Now in her late 60s, Joan lives a quiet life by the sea with her two dogs, far removed from her past in London’s criminal underworld.
Joan Hannington Age
Joan Hannington was born in 1957, making her 67 years old as of 2024.
Joan Hannington Early Life and Education
Joan Hannington, born in 1957, grew up in the tough, poverty-stricken East End of London. She was the youngest of six children born to Irish parents, Richard and Josephine O’Leary. Her childhood was harsh, marked by severe neglect and abuse. Her parents were alcoholics who spent most of their money on drinking, often leaving their children without food and subjecting them to physical abuse.
At the age of 13, Joan ran away from home to escape the abuse. She had no formal education and struggled with reading and writing, which limited her opportunities for a conventional path. By 17, she was pregnant and married her first husband, Ray Pavey, a violent criminal. Their relationship, filled with abuse, mirrored the trauma she had experienced in her childhood. This turbulent marriage further pushed her into a life of crime, which eventually led to her becoming one of the most infamous diamond thieves in the UK.
Joan Hannington Career and Story
Joan Hannington’s criminal career as one of Britain’s most notorious jewel thieves began in the 1980s when she entered the world of diamond theft. Her methods were ingenious, often involving elaborate schemes and strategies to evade detection. Joan became known for swallowing diamonds to smuggle them out of stores and across borders, sterilizing them later to retrieve the stolen goods. Her career was driven by a fierce determination to secure financial stability and a sense of control over her life. Operating in the dangerous world of high-stakes theft, Joan quickly established a reputation for being calculated and daring in her heists.
Partnering with fences and other criminals, Joan specialized in high-value targets, focusing primarily on jewellery and diamonds. She was meticulous in planning her jobs, often spending weeks scouting locations and establishing connections that would allow her to dispose of the stolen goods. One of her most notable achievements was the sheer volume of wealth she amassed during her career—at the peak, Joan reportedly had over £800,000 worth of gems hidden in her garden. Her wealth was largely kept hidden from authorities, as she frequently used private deed boxes in banks to store her ill-gotten gains.
Joan’s career was further enhanced through her marriage to Ronald “Boisie” Hannington, an antiques dealer and thief who operated in London’s criminal underworld. Boisie was instrumental in expanding Joan’s criminal enterprise, introducing her to the world of valuable antiques and teaching her how to distinguish genuine items from counterfeits. Together, they created a thriving partnership, selling stolen goods and living a life of luxury. Their homes were filled with expensive furniture, priceless artwork, and designer clothes—symbols of their success in the criminal world. The couple was known for making thousands of pounds a week from their heists, and their exploits made Joan a key figure in London’s underground.
Their partnership was marked by high-stakes jobs, including targeting jewellery stores, high-end auction houses, and even smuggling valuable items across borders. Boisie’s expertise in antiques allowed Joan to diversify her criminal activities, combining diamond theft with art and furniture deals. The pair were well-known in London’s underworld, and their growing wealth only fueled Joan’s ambition. Despite the dangerous nature of their work, Joan and Boisie continued to push boundaries, taking on increasingly risky heists.
However, Joan’s career took a tragic turn in 1980 when Boisie died in a failed insurance scam. He had attempted to burn down a house for the payout but miscalculated, causing an explosion that led to his death. Boisie’s passing marked a significant turning point in Joan’s life. Although she had achieved incredible success as a thief, his death caused her to reevaluate her life choices. Devastated by the loss, Joan decided to leave her life of crime behind, sell off their properties, and focus on legal ventures
After Boisie’s death, Joan moved to Islington, North London, and started a business renovating council houses. With the wealth she had accumulated over the years, Joan no longer needed to rely on theft to maintain her lifestyle. Her decision to go straight marked the end of her criminal career, but her legacy as one of Britain’s most successful female criminals was already cemented. Even after her departure from crime, her name continued to be synonymous with high-stakes diamond heists and daring thefts.
In the early 2000s, Joan released her memoir, I Am What I Am, detailing her rise in London’s criminal underworld and her experiences as a jewel thief. The book became a bestseller, offering readers an inside look at her life and the decisions that led her to a life of crime. Her memoir was not only an opportunity to reflect on her past but also a way to share the complexities of her life as a mother, wife, and criminal mastermind. Joan’s story captivated readers, solidifying her place in British criminal history.
Joan’s career has recently gained renewed attention with the release of the 2024 ITV drama Joan, starring Sophie Turner. The six-part series delves into her life as a jewel thief, bringing her story to a new audience. Joan was involved in the production, ensuring the details of her life were accurately portrayed on screen. Now in her late 60s, Joan lives a quiet life on the South Coast, far removed from her days as London’s “Godmother” of diamond theft.
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Joan Hannington Marriages, Husband and Children
Joan Hannington’s life was marked by two significant marriages. At 17, she married her first husband, Ray Pavey, a convicted armed robber. This marriage was turbulent, and their daughter, Debbie, was placed into foster care, which Joan desperately tried to reverse. This period of Joan’s life led her deeper into a life of crime, including her infamous career as a jewel thief.
Her second marriage was to Ronald Thomas Hannington, known as “Boisie.” Boisie, 17 years her senior, was an antiques dealer and high-class thief. The two lived a life of luxury, supported by their joint criminal ventures, including stealing diamonds and antiques. They married in 1980 and had a son named Ben. However, their marriage ended tragically when Boisie died in a failed insurance scam, attempting to set a house on fire.
Joan Hannington Net Worth
Joan Hannington’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, during her criminal career as one of Britain’s most notorious diamond thieves, she accumulated a substantial amount of wealth. At the peak of her criminal activities, Joan estimated she had around £800,000 worth of stolen gems buried in a biscuit tin in her garden.
FAQs
Who is Joan Hannington?
Joan Hannington is a notorious British jewel thief, often referred to as the “Godmother” of London’s criminal underworld. She became famous for her diamond heists in the 1980s, during which she swallowed diamonds to evade capture.
What is Joan Hannington famous for?
Joan Hannington is best known for her career as a diamond thief. At her peak, she had accumulated over £800,000 worth of stolen gems, which she buried in her garden. She also gained notoriety for living a lavish lifestyle funded by her criminal activities.
When was Joan Hannington active in crime?
Joan’s criminal career was most active during the 1980s. She carried out numerous diamond thefts and frauds, gaining a reputation as one of Britain’s most successful female criminals.
Did Joan Hannington ever get caught?
While Joan was never caught for her diamond thefts, she did spend time in prison for cheque fraud. She served 30 months in Holloway Prison after being caught using a stolen cheque book.
Was Joan Hannington married?
Joan was married twice. Her first marriage was to Ray Pavey, a convicted armed robber, and her second marriage was to Ronald “Boisie” Hannington, a fellow criminal and antiques dealer. She remained with Boisie until his death in 1980 during an insurance scam gone wrong.
Does Joan Hannington have children?
Yes, Joan has two children. She had a daughter, Debbie, with her first husband Ray Pavey, and a son, Ben, with her second husband Boisie.
What is Joan Hannington’s memoir?
Joan’s memoir, I Am What I Am, was published in 2002. It details her life as a jewel thief and provides insights into her rise in the criminal world, as well as her reflections on her personal and criminal experiences.
Where is Joan Hannington now?
Joan is now retired and living a quiet life on the South Coast of England with her two dogs. She lives with her son and granddaughter, far removed from her former life of crime.
