Who Is Joe Exotic’s Husband? Relationship History Explained

Photo Credit: @JoeExoticTV / YouTube

Joe Exotic, the former Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park zookeeper who once sparked widespread attention and discussion among fans following his arrest and conviction for the murder-for-hire plot to kill rival Carole Baskin, has garnered media attention once again. This is because of his announcement of his latest marriage. The Tiger King star recently tied the knot with a man named Jorge Marquez. As such, fans have become curious about Exotic’s new husband and his relationship history.

So, who is Joe Exotic’s husband Jorge Marquez? Who has Exotic been married to in the past? Here is all you need to know.

Who is Joe Exotic married to?

Joe Exotic is married to Jorge Marquez.

Marquez and Exotic got married in late 2024, while both were in prison, according to an X (formerly Twitter) post from the Tiger King star. In the post, Exotic said that Marquez hailed from Mexico and was 33 years old.

Joe Exotic reintroduced fans to his husband in an X post on April 22, 2025. Here, the two could be seen in tuxedos.

“Never been more proud of someone,” Exotic wrote in the post. “Meet my husband, Jorge Flores Maldonado.”

The former Oklahoma zookeeper further elaborated on his and Marquez’s relationship on Instagram. Here, Exotic revealed that Marquez supported him in his battle against cancer, despite their prison conditions.

Joe Exotic’s relationship history

Joe Exotic was first involved with Brian Rhyne. They met at a gay bar, the Round-up Saloon and tied the knot in an unofficial ceremony, as per Texas Monthly.

In 2001, Rhyne passed away from HIV, as per New York Magazine’s Intelligencer.

Exotic then found love with and married 24-year-old J.C. Hartpence, who worked as an event producer. With Hartpence’s help, Exotic created a traveling animal and magic show. Unfortunately, the couple’s relationship suffered in subsequent years, due to disagreements over the zoo’s management. This all came to a head when Hartpence pointed a gun at Exotic, resulting in the former’s arrest and the termination of their relationship.

Exotic then entered a polyamorous relationship with Travis Maldonado and John Finlay. The throuple married, but Finlay eventually left Maldonado and Exotic following a falling out. Maldonado and Exotic’s union then ended in October 2017 after the former accidentally committed suicide.

Exotic then married Dillon Passage in 2017, but they separated in 2021 and divorced in 2023.

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