The Seven Husbands Of Joe Exotic: What Happened To The 'Tiger King' Partners And Where Are They Now In 2025?

The notorious 'Tiger King' star, Joe Exotic, has a relationship history as wild and complex as his big cat sanctuary, a saga that continues to evolve even while he serves a 21-year federal prison sentence. As of December 2025, the latest chapter involves a new prison marriage and a swift, dramatic deportation, proving that the former zookeeper’s personal life remains a constant source of global fascination. His long and tumultuous journey through love has involved seven significant partners, from his earliest relationship in the 1980s to his most recent, short-lived union behind bars.

Fans of the Netflix docu-series are often left confused about the full timeline of Joe Exotic's husbands, especially since not all of his partners were featured on-screen. This comprehensive guide breaks down the full list of his seven significant relationships, detailing their biographies, what happened during their time with the 'Tiger King,' and their most recent, up-to-date status in 2025, including the shocking details of his current husband's deportation.

The Complete Biography: Joe Exotic's Seven Husbands and Partners

Joe Exotic, born Joseph Allen Schreibvogel (later Maldonado-Passage), has been married or in a committed partnership seven times. His relationships were often non-traditional, with some partners identifying as straight, and one ceremony involving a polyamorous union. Here is the full list of his significant partners in chronological order:

• The Enduring Legacy Of Haylor 5 Shocking Facts About Harry Styles And Taylor Swifts Relationship 10 Years Later Sf662

• 1. Brian Rhyne (Partner: Late 1980s – 2001)
  • Bio/Role: Joe's first long-term partner and husband. They met at the Round-up Saloon, a gay cowboy bar in Dallas, Texas, where Joe worked as a security guard. They were instrumental in the early days of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (GW Zoo).
  • Status: Tragically, Brian Rhyne died in 2001 from complications related to HIV. Their relationship was Joe’s longest to date.
• 2. Jeffrey Charles "J.C." Hartpence (Partner: 2002)
  • Bio/Role: An events producer and Joe’s second partner, who was not featured in the *Tiger King* documentary. Their relationship was reportedly volatile.
  • Status: The partnership ended quickly due to its tumultuous nature.
• 3. John Finlay (Husband: 2003 – 2014)
  • Bio/Role: Finlay began working at the GW Zoo shortly after graduating high school. He was part of a controversial polyamorous commitment ceremony with Joe Exotic and Travis Maldonado.
  • Status: John Finlay is now married to a woman, Stormey Sanders, and works as a welder. He famously got a full set of new teeth, a transformation that became a viral entity itself. He has expressed regret over his portrayal in the Netflix series.
• 4. Travis Maldonado (Husband: 2013 – 2017)
  • Bio/Role: Maldonado joined the GW Zoo after being introduced by an employee. He was also part of the three-way commitment ceremony. Like Finlay, he did not identify as gay.
  • Status: Travis Maldonado died in October 2017 from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound at the zoo. His death was a central, tragic event in the *Tiger King* narrative.
• 5. Dillon Passage (Husband: 2017 – 2023)
  • Bio/Role: Joe married Dillon Passage just two months after Maldonado's death. Passage was Joe’s husband when the infamous murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin unfolded, and throughout the initial release of the *Tiger King* series.
  • Status: The couple's divorce was officially finalized in 2023. Dillon Passage has since moved on and is now reportedly engaged to a new partner.
• 6. Seth Posey (Fiancé: 2021 – 2023)
  • Bio/Role: Posey was Joe Exotic's fiancé during his early years in federal prison. Their relationship was conducted primarily over the phone and through correspondence.
  • Status: The engagement was called off in 2023, with Joe Exotic claiming the split was mutual.
• 7. Jorge Marquez Flores (Husband: 2024 – Present)
  • Bio/Role: Joe's most recent husband, a fellow inmate he met while serving his sentence in a federal prison in Texas. He is also known by the name Jorge Flores Maldonado.
  • Status: The couple married in prison in 2024. However, after his release from federal prison in mid-2025, Jorge Marquez Flores was immediately deported to Mexico by ICE due to unlawful residence in the U.S., leaving Joe Exotic newly married but physically separated by an international border.

The Shocking Prison Marriage and Swift Deportation in 2025

The most recent and unexpected development in Joe Exotic's love life involves his new husband, Jorge Marquez Flores. The 'Tiger King' star, whose legal name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, has a flair for the dramatic, and his latest union is no exception.

The marriage to Flores, which took place inside the federal prison, made headlines in 2024. This new relationship began shortly after his divorce from Dillon Passage was finalized, demonstrating Joe's eagerness to find companionship despite his incarceration for the murder-for-hire plot and animal abuse charges.

The excitement of the prison wedding was short-lived, however. In a dramatic twist that could rival any reality television plot, Jorge Marquez Flores was released from prison in mid-2025, only to be immediately detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He was subsequently deported to Mexico due to his immigration status.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

Joe Exotic, currently serving his 21-year sentence, has publicly detailed the emotional goodbye to his deported husband, a separation that adds another layer of tragedy and complexity to his already bizarre life story. The sudden deportation has left the future of this latest marriage uncertain, with Joe Exotic now attempting to maintain a long-distance relationship from behind bars with a husband living in a different country.

Where Are Joe Exotic's Most Famous Ex-Husbands Now?

Beyond the current drama with Jorge Marquez Flores, the former partners who gained worldwide fame through the *Tiger King* docu-series have all moved on to new lives, attempting to escape the shadow of the controversial zookeeper and the GW Zoo.

John Finlay: New Teeth, New Life, and Marriage

John Finlay’s transformation is perhaps the most visible. After leaving the chaotic world of the big cat park, Finlay underwent a significant dental procedure, replacing his missing teeth and dramatically altering his appearance. His decision to get his teeth fixed was a clear sign of his desire to leave his past behind. He is now happily married to a woman, a relationship that began after his split from Joe Exotic. Finlay has been vocal about his unhappiness with his portrayal in the Netflix hit, claiming the show did not accurately represent the timeline of his relationship or his subsequent sobriety.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

Dillon Passage: Divorce, New Engagement, and Social Media Presence

Dillon Passage was the last husband of Joe Exotic before his incarceration and the one most prominently featured in the later parts of the documentary. Following Joe's conviction, Dillon struggled with the media attention and the stress of a prison marriage. The couple announced their split in 2021, and the divorce was finalized in 2023. Passage is now focused on his own life, maintaining a significant social media presence and celebrating his new relationship, which culminated in an engagement to his new partner.

The Legacy of Joe Exotic's Relationships

Joe Exotic's history with his husbands and partners is a critical part of his overall narrative, a story of seeking acceptance and love in unconventional and often destructive ways. The relationships were a core component of the daily life at the GW Zoo, intertwining personal drama with the business of exotic animal breeding and exhibition. The dynamic between Joe, John Finlay, and Travis Maldonado, in particular, highlighted the unique and often troubling environment surrounding the 'Tiger King.' The tragic death of Travis Maldonado remains a somber note in the timeline of the zoo's history.

Even from federal prison, Joe Exotic continues to pursue love, as evidenced by his 2024 marriage to Jorge Marquez Flores. However, the subsequent deportation of Flores in 2025 underscores the persistent drama and instability that seems to follow the 'Tiger King' star, ensuring that his personal life, much like his legal battles, remains a continuous, high-profile entity in the public eye. The search for a presidential pardon and his ongoing health issues add further layers to his current life, but his relationship history remains one of the most compelling and discussed aspects of his legacy.