Who is Anastasia Hanson? Woman behind $15M GoFundMe for Harry and Meghan Markle also appealed for jailed brother
Anastasia Hanson, a 56-year-old Californian woman, has been ruling the headlines for the past few days for starting a $15 million GoFundMe to help Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pay off the mortgage on their lavish California mansion. Although her fundraiser was soon shut down as a joke, it appears that Hanson did not start the same with ridicule in her mind.
Interestingly, she genuinely wanted to help the couple, as told to The Sun. "They've stated that they've had a very rough time, so this fundraiser is a way to give help, compassion, and love by paying their home loan in full," Hanson said. Now, it has come to light that this is not the only fundraiser she has started on GoFundMe. Just a few weeks ago, she launched an $8,600 campaign for her brother Malcolm Hanson — who has been incarcerated for over two decades.
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There seems to be enough reason to believe she is the same person behind the Harry-Meghan GoFundMe since both the fundraisers start with the phrase 'Every $5 Helps!'.
While speaking about the Harry-Meghan fundraiser with The Sun, Anastasia Hanson stated how issues related to racial equality, mental health, diversity, and inclusivity personally concern her. In view of her brother's unfair treatment in prison and her family's struggles with tragic losses, it now seems that Hanson's aim behind the Harry-Meghan fundraiser might be more deep-rooted and sincere than perceived.
She also said: "I like to help people and help them in any way I can. That gives me happiness. If you needed a home, I'd do the same for you. It's a good deed."
Who is Anastasia Hanson?
Paula Anastasia Hanson was born on January 11, 1965, in Ventura, California — which is presently a 25-minute drive from Harry and Meghan's luxury new home in Montecito — if her bio on court records is to be believed. Hanson was born in a bi-racial family of seven, with her parents, two sisters and two brothers. Her father passed away in 2014 in a road accident, while he was trying to push his wheelchair across the road at night. Her mother is 91 years old at present who is in frail health.
Malcolm Hanson, whom she fondly calls 'Mal', is the youngest brother of 56-year-old Paula Anastasia, being 53-year-old at present. In 1996, when Malcolm was 28, he was arrested as per the Third Strike Law, for assaulting his former brother-in-law Michael McDonald, due to personal animosity with him post the divorce. Malcolm was joined by brother-in-law Antonio Miranda during the 'attack.
On February 22, 2021, Anastasia Hanson started the $8,600 GoFundMe 'Help Save Malcolm' to finance the expenses of retaining an attorney for him. In the fundraiser, she mentioned, "I am Malcolm Hanson's sister, Paula Anastasia, and after spending over $100,000 in the past on attorneys and related fees, this is the latest cost."
She went on to add how her brother was subjected to 'cruel and inhumane' treatment while serving time. Since December 2020 — at a time when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak — Malcolm was put in solitary confinement at California Men's Colony as a disciplinary action. Hanson vouched for him to be a 'different person'. "His heart is gold, though it has been wounded deeply, as has mine and our family," she wrote while appealing for support. She only managed to raise around $7,000 of the $8,600 goal.
Read the GoFundMe fundraiser here:
What happened to Malcolm Hanson?
On October 15, 1996, Malcolm is said to have been charged for an assault around 2:45 am when Michael McDonald was leaving for work. Dressed in black clothing and a black ski mask, he and Miranda punched and struck McDonald, eventually being dissuaded by a neighbor who was woken up by McDonald's screams for help. According to reports, Malcolm himself was injured in the process and sought medical help, after which he was arrested.
Following his conviction in December 1998, Malcolm admitted "suffering two prior serious felony strike convictions (robbery and attempted robbery, each committed in 1992), and serving two prior prison terms," as per court records. In 1999, the trial court struck his prior prison term allegations and sentenced him to 25 years to life in prison under the three-strikes law.
Where is Malcolm Hanson now?
In 2012, Hanson petitioned to recall his three-strike sentence and resentence him as a second strike offender, which was later denied by the court. During the petition, he stated that he was victimized by other inmates for being bi-racial. He also explained the extenuating circumstances behind his disciplinary violations within the prison.
His sister's fundraiser has raised $7,120 so far, with generous contributions from friends and family. As per the latest update provided by Anastasia, Malcolm was moved to Corcoran in a regular room and out of solitary confinement. She also mentioned how she managed to get in touch with her brother, who was reportedly 'grateful' to all his supporters.
At the same time, Anastasia's other fundraiser, for Harry and Meghan Markle, was shut down, despite her believing in the duo and asserting that together they can help heal and bring restoration to the whole world.
What happened to the Harry-Meghan fundraiser?
Starting with "Every $5 Helps! (£3.61)," the fundraiser said, "Hello, I am Anastasia Hanson of Ventura, California and I am raising funds to pay off the mortgage for the Montecito, California home of Harry and Meghan. Were 2 million supporters to donate just $5 each, the Goal is met and the loan can be paid off. After their interview, I was moved with compassion to help get their home paid off. As they are now financially independent, this will help and be a loving gift."
"This is a legal legitimate fundraiser. I can be contacted with a message on this site. The home sold for $14,650,000 U.S. dollars - (British Pounds £10,550,783.50). The lender is City National Bank and the down payment was over $5 million U.S. dollars - (British Pounds £3,601,425.00). The donations will go directly to the City National Bank account once the goal is met and pay off the home mortgage.
She added, "If you feel it in your heart to help and support with a donation, then please do so. We all can use some form of help in the world, and it begins with love and compassion." The fundraiser, however, was shut down within moments of being set up.
MEAWW tried to get in touch with Anastasia Hanson and is waiting for her response. We will update this space with the latest reports.