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Joe Exotic, the unforgettable star of Tiger King, has found love again—in the unlikeliest of places.
At 61, the larger-than-life former “zookeeper”, who’s been serving a 21-year sentence since 2019, has announced his engagement to fellow inmate Jorge Marquez, 33, a Mexican national.
The news, shared on X (formerly Twitter), included a grainy but heartfelt photo of the two looking close, with Joe gushing about his soon-to-be husband: “Now, the quest of getting married in prison and getting him asylum or we [will] be leaving America when we both get out. Either way, I wish I would have met him long ago”.
Joe’s past love life, much like his persona, is far from ordinary.
He became a sensation after Tiger King aired on Netflix in 2020, chronicling his fiery rivalry with Carole Baskin, who he allegedly tried to have killed, leading to his conviction for a murder-for-hire plot and a string of wildlife-related offenses.
Previously, Joe’s marriage to Dillon Passage grabbed headlines as the couple navigated life with Joe behind bars, though they eventually split in 2021, finalizing their divorce in early 2023.
His prior relationship with Travis Maldonado also made waves after Maldonado tragically died in an accidental shooting in 2017, only months before Joe and Dillon wed.
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Exotic’s engagement to Marquez brings a fresh chapter for the Tiger King, one that has social media buzzing with support.
Many fans are celebrating the unexpected romance, with some even asking for a wedding invite if Joe and Jorge can get approval for their prison ceremony.
Joe is determined to make it official, explaining that the couple has already filed paperwork for a marriage license and are awaiting approval from the prison warden and chaplain.
If all goes as planned, they’re hoping for a December wedding date.
Though Exotic’s current love story unfolds within prison walls, he remains hopeful about a future outside.
He’s actively working on his appeal, claiming fresh evidence and procedural flaws in his conviction.
Meanwhile, Marquez, who is serving time for immigration-related issues, could potentially be deported after his release, which adds another twist.
Joe seems prepared to embrace any option, as long as it involves being together—even hinting at a possible life outside the U.S. if Jorge’s asylum doesn’t come through .
With Tiger King fans cheering them on from afar, Joe Exotic is proving that love finds a way—even if it’s behind bars.
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