He’s done it again. Just when you think the Tiger King saga has finally run out of steam, Joe Exotic finds a way to grab the headlines from behind a reinforced steel door. If you’ve been following the breadcrumbs on social media, you probably saw the news: Joe Exotic is officially off the market. Again.
Honestly, the timeline is a bit of a whirlwind. One minute he's mourning a husband, the next he’s filing for divorce from prison, and now, Joe Exotic is married to a man named Jorge Flores Maldonado (who he previously introduced to the world as Jorge Marquez).
It isn't just another prison romance, though. This one has layers—immigration drama, matching tattoos, and a desperate race against a 21-year sentence. Here is the real story behind the bars at the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth.
The Whirlwind Engagement and the Wedding
Back in October 2024, Joe took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce he had found "the one." He described Jorge as a 33-year-old from Mexico who was "so amazing." They didn't wait long. By April 2025, the pair had officially tied the knot.
Joe shared a photo of the two of them—Jorge and himself—looking sharp in matching suits and white baseball caps. Now, look, there was plenty of chatter online about whether the photo was AI-generated because of how "perfect" the background looked, but Joe’s camp insists the union is the real deal. They even got matching wedding band tattoos. Talk about commitment when you can’t exactly go out and shop for Tiffany rings.
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Who is Jorge Flores Maldonado?
Jorge isn't a celebrity. He’s a fellow inmate. He was originally held at a South Texas ICE Processing Center before being moved to the Fort Worth facility where Joe is serving his time.
- Age: 33 (compared to Joe, who is now 62).
- Origin: Mexico.
- Status: Facing potential deportation upon his release.
This last point is a massive part of why this marriage happened so fast. Joe hasn't been shy about the fact that they are fighting for Jorge to stay in the U.S. through an asylum claim. Joe basically said that if the government won’t let Jorge stay here, he’s ready to pack up and head to Mexico the second he’s a free man.
The Reality of Love Behind Bars
You might be wondering how a wedding even works in federal prison. It’s not all cake and champagne. The process is a bureaucratic nightmare. Joe and Jorge had to get the green light from the prison chaplain, the warden, and even the psychiatry department.
In a weird way, it sounds almost domestic. Joe told reporters that they spend "every minute of the day together." They live in the same facility, though often in different dorms, but they share meals and time in the yard. For a guy who has been through the ringer—burying two husbands and watching a third "run off with the Netflix money"—Joe seems genuinely convinced that Jorge is his final chapter.
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Where Does Joe Exotic Stand with the Law in 2026?
The romance is nice, but it doesn't change the fact that Joe is still inmate #86702-079. As of early 2026, he is still serving a 21-year sentence.
The Legal Scorecard
- Original Sentence: 22 years for the murder-for-hire plot against Carole Baskin and various wildlife violations.
- Resentencing: Reduced to 21 years in 2022 after a court ruled certain charges should have been grouped together.
- Current Appeals: Joe’s legal team is still hammering away at the courts, claiming government misconduct. He’s convinced he’ll win on appeal, but so far, the gates haven't budged.
- The Pardon Quest: He’s still holding out hope for a presidential pardon. Whether it's Trump or someone else in the hot seat, Joe’s social media is a constant stream of pleas for a "get out of jail free" card.
Health Struggles and a Race Against Time
This isn't just about love; it's about survival. Joe’s health has been a recurring theme. He’s dealt with aggressive prostate cancer, which he says went into remission but then allegedly returned. More recently, he’s made claims about lung cancer and massive weight loss.
He told Newsweek recently that he doesn't think he’ll live to see the end of his sentence. That adds a pretty somber note to the wedding news. He’s not just looking for a husband; he’s looking for someone to be by his side while he fights what he calls a "death sentence" by incarceration.
What Most People Get Wrong About Joe's "Husbands"
If you only watched the first season of Tiger King, you probably have a skewed view of Joe’s love life.
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- Brian Rhyne: His first partner, who died in 2001. Joe often speaks of him with the most genuine emotion.
- The Throuple: John Finlay and Travis Maldonado. That was the chaotic era everyone remembers. Travis’s death was a pivot point for Joe’s mental state.
- Dillon Passage: They married just before Joe went to prison. It didn't last. Dillon moved on, and their divorce was finalized in early 2023.
- Jorge Flores: The current husband. Unlike the others, Jorge met Joe when the cameras were (mostly) gone.
Actionable Insights: Following the Saga
If you’re still invested in the Joe Exotic story, here’s how to stay updated without getting lost in the rumors:
- Check the BOP: The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) website allows you to search for inmates. If you want to know if Joe has been moved or what his official release date is, that’s the only 100% factual source.
- Watch the Appeals: Keep an eye on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. That’s where the real "freedom" talk happens, not on Twitter.
- Verify the Photos: In the age of AI, take any "prison wedding" photos with a grain of salt unless they are released through official legal channels or reputable news outlets.
Joe Exotic is currently scheduled for release in September 2029, barring a legal miracle or a pardon. Until then, he’ll be navigating married life in a 10x10 cell, still convinced that the world hasn't seen the last of the Tiger King.
Next Steps for You
- Verify Inmate Status: Use the BOP Inmate Locator and search for "Joseph Maldonado-Passage" to see current housing and release info.
- Read the Court Filings: Look up Case No. 22-6014 in the 10th Circuit if you want to see the actual legal arguments his team is making.
- Stay Skeptical: Always cross-reference Joe's social media claims with official court records; he is, after all, a master of self-promotion.