'Tiger King' Star Joe Exotic Finds Love (Again), Announces Engagement To Fellow Inmate
The self-proclaimed “Tiger King” and former zookeeper, Joe Exotic, has announced he’s getting married again.
The self-proclaimed “Tiger King” and former zookeeper, Joe Exotic, has announced he’s getting married again.
Joseph Maldonado-Passage, who gained fame from Netflix’s "Tiger King," took to social media to share the news of his engagement to a fellow inmate, posting a photo of his new fiancé and expressing his excitement for their future together.
This isn’t Exotic’s first highly publicized marriage. Before his 2017 marriage to Dillon Passage, Exotic was in a tumultuous relationship with Travis Maldonado, who tragically died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound in 2017.
Joe Exotic’s marriage to Dillon Passage, documented on "Tiger King," captivated audiences, but the pair eventually split in 2021 after three years, with Passage moving on as Exotic continued serving his sentence.
Joe Exotic Announces Engagement To 33-Year-Old Jorge Marquez
Now, despite his life behind bars, Joe Exotic seems eager to begin a new chapter with his partner.
This unexpected engagement is the latest twist in Exotic’s life, which has been filled with both public and personal challenges. The "Tiger King" star continues to be an outspoken presence, using social media to stay in touch with fans and maintain his role in the public eye.
“Meet Jorge Marquez. He is 33,” the self-proclaimed "Tiger King," wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “He is so amazing and is from Mexico.”
“Now, the quest of getting married in prison and getting him asylum or we [will] be leaving America when we both get out,” he continued. “Either way, I wish I would have met him long ago.”
Dillon Passage Announces Separation From Joe Exotic
Exotic and Passage, who began dating in 2017 after meeting on a dating app, ended their marriage in 2021, following three years together.
"To answer the main question the public wants to know, yes, Joe and I are seeking a divorce," Passage wrote on his Instagram at the time. "This wasn't an easy decision to make, but Joe and I both understand that this situation isn't fair to either of us. It's something that neither of us were expecting, but we are going to take it day by day."
"We are on good terms still and I hope it can stay that way," he added. "I will continue to have Joe in my life and do my best to support him while he undergoes further legal battles to better his situation."
Joe Exotic's Feud With Carole Baskin
The feud between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin, rooted in their opposing views on animal conservation, played out dramatically in "Tiger King," where viewers witnessed Exotic’s open hostility toward Baskin.
Baskin, who has devoted her career to the rescue and welfare of big cats, publicly opposed Exotic’s controversial zoo practices. Their ongoing conflict took a legal turn when Exotic’s alleged plot came to light, resulting in his eventual conviction.
Joe Exotic Is Currently Serving A 21-Year Prison Sentence
Joe Exotic remains behind bars, serving a 21-year prison sentence following his high-profile 2019 conviction.
Known for his role in Netflix's "Tiger King," Exotic’s case drew massive public attention due to the bizarre details surrounding his alleged plot to hire someone to kill Carole Baskin, his long-standing rival and a big cat conservationist.
The "Tiger King" star was accused of paying Allen Glover, one of his former employees, $3,000 to carry out the murder of Baskin. The alleged murder-for-hire plan was only part of a list of charges Exotic faced, which included violations related to wildlife protection laws due to his treatment and sale of endangered species.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Exotic had not only plotted to harm Baskin but had also violated the rights and welfare of his animals, leading to additional charges that added to his sentence.
Joe Exotic Faced Numerous Wildlife-Related Charges
In addition to the murder-for-hire plot against Baskin, Exotic faced numerous wildlife-related charges that further added to his 21-year prison sentence.
According to People, court documents state that authorities reported that in October 2017, Exotic killed five tigers at his Oklahoma zoo to clear space for additional animals. Following this, he allegedly sold and attempted to sell tiger cubs across state lines, activities that directly violated federal wildlife protection laws.
Despite his imprisonment, Joe Exotic has maintained a public presence through social media, where he insists on his innocence and continues to appeal his conviction.
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