Table of Contents
Joe Exotic, known from the Netflix series Tiger King, has announced a new engagement from behind prison walls. The 61-year-old, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, announced on social media that he and 33-year-old Mexican national Jorge Marquez are now engaged. Exotic was found guilty of a murder-for-hire scheme against his longtime rival, Carole Baskin, and is currently serving a 21-year term in a federal prison in Texas.
The former zoo operator recently presented Marquez to his fans on his X (previously Twitter) profile, calling him “so amazing.” Exotic revealed his plans to either obtain asylum for Marquez or depart the country with him when they are both released. "In any case, I wish I had met him sooner," Exotic said.
A History of Unconventional Marriages
Unconventional couplings and public attention have been features of Joe Exotic's previous partnerships. Exotic was married to Travis Maldonado before to his incarceration; he passed away in 2017 after unintentionally shooting himself. Some acquaintances said that neither Maldonado nor Exotic's second spouse, John Finlay, identified as homosexual, and that Exotic's weddings may have entailed incentives like drugs or presents, according to the Netflix documentary series Tiger King. In 2014, a three-way ceremony was held to unite the three guys.
Exotic promptly remarried Dillon Passage after Maldonado's passing. In 2021, they split up, and Passage subsequently filed for divorce. Exotic's complicated personal background has been further complicated by his several marriages and relationships, which have frequently garnered notice.
Legal Troubles and Convictions
Exotic's conviction in a scheme to murder Carole Baskin, the proprietor of an animal sanctuary and a well-known enemy of Exotic, is the reason for his present prison term. Exotic's intense hostility for Baskin, who had been seeking court judgments against him totaling more than $1 million for a variety of legal issues, including trademark infringement, was made clear by testimony given during his 2019 trial. Additionally, Exotic was accused of using tiger cubs for financial gain in his zoo and in traveling animal performances.
Exotic has insisted on his innocence and said he was set up despite the verdict.
Expected Release Date
According to Texas Department of Corrections records, Exotic is now scheduled for release on September 2, 2029. Even when incarcerated in a federal prison, he continues to get public notice for his unusual relationships and life choices, despite his continued hope of clearing his reputation.