Joe Exotic, legally known as Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is a media personality and former manager of Oklahoma’s Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, famously known from the Netflix series “Tiger King.” As of April 23, 2025, he is serving a 21-year prison sentence at FMC Fort Worth for 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder for hire, related to a plot against big cat activist Carole Baskin. His net worth is reported to be -$1 million, reflecting his financial struggles (Celebrity Net Worth). This note provides an in-depth exploration of his current husband, Jorge Marquez, and his ex-husbands, drawing from various sources to ensure a comprehensive overview.
Key Points
- Research suggests Joe Exotic is currently married to Jorge Marquez, 33, from Mexico, married in April 2025 while in prison.
- It seems likely that Joe Exotic had five ex-husbands: Brian Rhyne (unofficial, deceased 2001), J.C. Hartpence (ended after gun incident, serving life for murder), John Finlay (part of three-way marriage 2014, left after falling out), Travis Maldonado (part of three-way marriage 2014, died 2017), and Dillon Passage (married 2017, divorced 2023).
- The evidence leans toward Jorge Marquez not being deported, with ongoing efforts for asylum, though this is complex due to immigration issues.
Current Husband
Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, is currently married to Jorge Marquez, also known as Jorge Flores Maldonado. They married in April 2025 while both were incarcerated, with Jorge being 33 years old and from Mexico. There was initial confusion about Jorge’s deportation in March 2025, but it was later clarified he was not deported, and they are working on his asylum case.
Ex-Husbands
Joe Exotic has had several previous marriages, including:
- Brian Rhyne, an unofficial marriage ending in 2001, with Brian passing away due to HIV complications.
- J.C. Hartpence, a former partner whose relationship ended after a gun incident, and J.C. is now serving a life sentence for murder.
- John Finlay, part of a three-way marriage with Travis Maldonado in 2014, but he left after a disagreement.
- Travis Maldonado, also part of the three-way marriage in 2014, who died in 2017 from an accidental gunshot.
- Dillon Passage, married in 2017, with the divorce finalized in 2023.
Joe Exotic is serving a 21-year prison sentence for animal abuse and attempted murder for hire, with a reported net worth of -$1 million as of April 2025.
Current Husband: Jorge Marquez
Research suggests Joe Exotic is currently married to Jorge Marquez, also known as Jorge Flores Maldonado, as announced on April 22, 2025, via an X post (Joe Exotic on X). They got engaged in late 2024 while both were incarcerated at Federal Medical Center Fort Worth, with Joe sharing the news in October 2024, stating, “Meet Jorge Marquez he is 33. He is so amazing and is from Mexico. Now, the quest of getting married in prison and getting him asylum, or we be leaving America when we both get out” (The Independent). The marriage was confirmed with a photo on social media, showing them in tuxedos, captioned, “Never been more proud of someone. Meet my husband Jorge Flores Maldonado” (TMZ).
Jorge, aged 33, is serving time for immigration-related issues, and there was significant controversy around his status. On March 3, 2025, Joe Exotic announced on Instagram that Jorge was deported to Mexico for illegally staying in the United States, expressing sorrow and appealing to Donald Trump for help, stating, “They took him away from me today to deport him 2 days before my birthday. Now you want me to beg you
@realdonaldtrump to let me out so I can go save him” (Soap Central). However, a day later, Joe updated that Jorge was not deported, with three more months to work on his asylum case or obtain a “gold card,” suggesting ongoing legal efforts (Distractify). This complexity highlights the challenges in his immigration status, with the evidence leaning toward him remaining in the U.S. as of April 2025, given the marriage announcement.
Ex-Husbands: A Detailed History
It seems likely that Joe Exotic had five ex-husbands, with relationships spanning unofficial and legal unions, often marked by controversy and tragedy. Here is a detailed breakdown:
- Brian Rhyne: This was an unofficial marriage, ending in 2001 when Brian passed away due to HIV complications. They met at the Round-up Saloon in Dallas, and their relationship was part of Joe’s early life before his rise to fame (Texas Monthly, New York Magazine).
- J.C. Hartpence: Another early partner, J.C. worked as an events producer. Their relationship ended after a gun incident, and J.C. is now serving a life sentence for murder, adding to the controversial nature of Joe’s past relationships (Texas Monthly, New York Magazine).
- John Finlay: Part of a three-way marriage with Travis Maldonado in 2014, John’s relationship with Joe was featured in “Tiger King.” They married in a ceremony also involving Travis, but John left after a falling out, with details shared in various profiles (People).
- Travis Maldonado: Also part of the three-way marriage in 2014, Travis’s relationship with Joe ended tragically in October 2017 when he died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound, a significant event covered extensively in media (People).
- Dillon Passage: Married on December 11, 2017, Dillon was Joe’s husband during the height of “Tiger King” fame. They announced their separation in 2021, with Dillon stating on Instagram, “To answer the main question the public wants to know, yes, Joe and I are seeking a divorce,” finalized in January 2023 (People, Out).
Table: Summary of Joe Exotic’s Marital History
| Husband Name | Marriage Type | Marriage Period | End Reason/Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jorge Marquez | Legal | 2025 – Present | Ongoing, asylum case pending | Met in prison, married April 2025, immigration issues |
| Brian Rhyne | Unofficial | Until 2001 | Deceased (HIV complications) | Early relationship, met at Round-up Saloon |
| J.C. Hartpence | Not specified | Not specified | Ended after gun incident | J.C. serving life for murder |
| John Finlay | Legal (three-way) | 2014 | Left after falling out | Part of three-way marriage with Travis Maldonado |
| Travis Maldonado | Legal (three-way) | 2014 – 2017 | Died (accidental gunshot, 2017) | Part of three-way marriage, tragic end |
| Dillon Passage | Legal | 2017 – 2023 | Divorced (finalized Jan 2023) | Featured in “Tiger King,” separation announced 2021 |
Impact and Context
Joe’s marital history reflects his complex personal life, often intertwined with his public persona and legal troubles. His current marriage to Jorge Marquez, while in prison, adds another layer to his story, with ongoing efforts to secure Jorge’s legal status in the U.S. The ex-husbands, particularly Travis’s tragic death and Dillon’s public divorce, have been widely covered, contributing to the controversy surrounding Joe Exotic. His net worth of -$1 million underscores financial struggles, possibly exacerbated by legal fees and incarceration.