Tiger King star Joe Exotic made news last week by marrying fellow prisoner Jorge Marquez. He is now serving a 21-year sentence for orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot against animal rights activist Carole Baskin. Exotic revealed his marriage on Instagram on April 22. He told the court that he loved Marquez very much and that he wanted to live life with her after they got out of prison.
Keep it confidential — the star’s past romantic entanglements are just as colorful as his personality. First with the late Brian Rhyne—who died too young in 2001—then eventually including longtime friend and classmate John W. Hilley. After Rhyne’s death, he married J.C. Hartpence, and then entered a three-way marriage with John Finlay and Travis Maldonado. The latter tragically died in October 2017. Exotic tied the knot with Dillon Passage in December of 2017. They completed their divorce in January 2023.
In October 2024, Exotic went public with his engagement to Marquez. He describes Marquez as a “very impressive young man from Mexico. The pair have become inseparable, allegedly spending every second of the day together in jail. “We’re very deeply in love with each other,” Exotic said in a 2016 interview with Entertainment Weekly.
Joe Exotic’s personal relationships are a complicated mix of passion and tragedy. That tragedy was compounded by the death of his first known partner, Brian Rhyne, at a young age, leaving Exotic devastated. After Rhyne, he married J.C. Hartpence but didn’t stop looking for love in unusual places.
His three-way relationship with John Finlay and Travis Maldonado was especially fascinating. Following Maldonado’s unexpected death in 2017, Exotic quickly moved on to find a new partner in Dillon Passage. They had married in December of that year, but the relationship struggled as Exotic dealt with legal troubles and health issues.
“To answer the main question the public wants to know, yes, Joe and I are seeking a divorce.” – Dillon Passage
Unfortunately, in early 2023, Passage made their divorce public. He argued that both he and Exotic at the time believed the government was acting unfairly toward them. Expensive Passage would much rather remain on the side of Exotic. He wants to support Exotic through his years-long legal battles, even after their divorce.
Health Challenges and Legal Struggles
Beyond navigating the treacherous waters of his polyamorous love life, Joe Exotic has had to contend with major health problems. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2021, an otherwise treatable diagnosis that has been a burden on his mind while confined to prison.
In fact, Exotic has been quite public about the sordid realities of living with his illness. He added that Marquez has been a rock throughout these difficult months. He has helped me through so much battling cancer in these circumstances,” he stated.
Exotic’s current court challenges Reinstatement is one layer of complexity Exotic’s ongoing legal battles bring another. He is unapologetically pursuing a presidential pardon. He wants to create a happier life together with Marquez on the other side of prison walls.
“All I pray to God for is [President Donald] Trump allow me to enjoy a little life outside with him before it’s too late,” – Joe Exotic
Future Aspirations
As Joe Exotic navigates his life behind bars, his relationship with Jorge Marquez provides him a glimpse of hope and companionship. In stark contrast to the reality of their situation, the couple’s bond points to a profound emotional relationship that knows no bounds.
Exotic has been clear about how much Marquez means to him, saying, I love you Jorge you are my life. Their devotion to one another is what I hoped I would find. Yet despite the painful realities of life inside, they find ways to uplift one another.
Exotic’s story is about more than wild animals and reality TV. It’s an unforgettable story of love and loss, and the ongoing pursuit of joy against all odds. He still is, both for his own pardon and for a healthier tomorrow. Both he and Marquez are optimistic about the future.