Unexpected Jailhouse Wedding: Joe Exotic Ties the Knot

Joe Exotic, the infamous “Tiger King” star, has married fellow prison inmate Jorge Flores Maldonado while serving a 21-year sentence for attempted murder-for-hire and wildlife violations.

Key Insights

Joe Exotic (Joseph Maldonado-Passage) married fellow inmate Jorge Flores Maldonado while both are serving federal prison sentences
Exotic is currently serving 21 years for attempting to hire hitmen to kill rival Carole Baskin and for animal abuse violations
Maldonado is incarcerated for immigration-related offenses, with Exotic publicly stating intentions to help secure asylum for his new husband
The couple wore matching tuxedos and white hats for their prison ceremony, with Exotic sharing photos online
Exotic continues seeking a presidential pardon despite having his previous appeals rejected

Prison Doesn’t Stop “Tiger King” From Tying The Knot

Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, announced his marriage to fellow inmate Jorge Flores Maldonado while both men continue serving time in federal prison. The controversial former zoo owner gained national attention after being featured in Netflix’s 2020 documentary series “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.” His latest headline-grabbing move comes despite currently serving a 21-year sentence after being convicted in 2019 for hiring hitmen to kill animal rights activist Carole Baskin and for numerous animal welfare violations.

Exotic shared photos of the ceremony showing the couple wearing matching tuxedos with white hats. The marriage took place after they filed official paperwork with prison authorities. Maldonado, 33, is reportedly serving time for immigration-related crimes. This marks Exotic’s third marriage, following relationships with Travis Maldonado, who died in 2017, and Dillon Passage, from whom he filed for divorce in 2021 after Exotic’s imprisonment created strain on their relationship.

New Husband, New Legal Strategy

Following the wedding announcement, Exotic has begun advocating for both his own freedom and his new husband’s immigration status. Despite previous failed attempts at securing a presidential pardon under the Trump administration, Exotic continues to seek clemency. His legal team maintains that his conviction was flawed and that the 21-year sentence is excessive compared to similar cases.

“Never been more proud of someone. Meet my husband Jorge Flores Maldonado,” beamed Exotic in a post shared online.

Exotic has been vocal about his plans for a future with Maldonado, stating he intends to either help secure asylum for his husband or leave America altogether when both are released. This is a significant shift in Exotic’s future plans, moving away from his previous life running the G.W. Zoo in Oklahoma, which was the centerpiece of the Netflix documentary that brought him fame. Exotic’s health has reportedly declined during his imprisonment, with recent battles including prostate cancer.

Continuing Legal Battles Amid Personal Milestone

Exotic was originally sentenced to 22 years in prison after his 2019 conviction. The sentence was later reduced to 21 years following a court order for resentencing. His attempts to overturn the conviction have been unsuccessful, including a denied appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. Throughout his incarceration, Exotic has maintained his innocence, particularly regarding the murder-for-hire charges, claiming he was framed by former business associates who testified against him.

He said, “I wish someone that is president or wins the presidency would do the right thing and pardon me so I could move past this nightmare that my own country has caused for the last 7 years of my life.”

Exotic was arrested in September 2018 during the filming of the Netflix series that would eventually make him a household name. The documentary captured the eccentric personality and bizarre lifestyle of the self-proclaimed “Tiger King,” including his collection of big cats, multiple husbands, and intense feud with animal rights activist Carole Baskin. The charges against him included paying an undercover FBI agent $3,000 to kill Baskin and violating the Endangered Species Act by killing five tigers to make room for other big cats at his zoo.