Tiger King’s Joe Exotic and her husband Dillon Passage are divorcing after more than three years of marriage.
The docuseries star reportedly learned that Passage, 25, is breaking the relationship through a phone call to the Fort Worth, Texas prison, where the 58-year-old former animal trainer is currently serving a 22-year sentence for conspiring to rival murder Carole Baskin.
Exotic – full name Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage – is heartbroken according to his lawyer Francisco Hernandez, who spoke with TMZ.
Jilted Joe is considering rushing to file a divorce petition to win Passage, according to one source, but another said he is still evaluating his options.
It’s over: Tiger King star Joe Exotic and husband of three-year-old Dillon Passage are getting divorced after Passage got rid of Netflix’s personality over the phone, while Exotic continues to serve his prison sentence.
He reportedly sent an email to a friend while he was just getting a call, saying he felt ‘abandoned and alone and just wanted to mean something to someone’, according to TMZ.
Although the former owner of Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park seems upset about the separation, Dillon says there are no hard feelings and he will still support Joe during his prison sentence.
Passage reportedly wants to break up with Joe because he became lonely during her husband’s time behind bars and would like to date again.
Maldonado-Passage was previously married to Travis Maldonado, who accidentally shot himself in the head at Joe’s animal park in October 2017, just two months before he tied the knot with Passage.
Nine months later, Joe would be arrested for his conspiracy to hire murder against Carole Baskin.
Tragic: Maldonado-Passage was previously married to Travis Maldonado, who accidentally shot himself in the head at Joe’s animal park in October 2017, just two months before tying the knot with Passage
Joe spoke against her husband earlier this month in an angry tweet that accused Dillon of neglecting him.
He wrote: ‘Money has destroyed my entire family. I will not allow you to kill my soul. You won, Dillon, [Dillon’s manageer] Jeff Duncan, Carole [Baskin.]’
He also mentioned his late husband Maldonado, writing: ‘Come March 22 for Travis’ birthday, I will keep the promise I made the day he died. I don’t need fame, money or bullshit, you can have it all … ‘
The former zoo operator wrote in another tweet: ‘… It is very sad to be in prison and it still doesn’t mean anything that you can’t even answer a phone. I see where I am. #justiceforjoeexotic #tigerking. ‘
Dillon went to Instagram with a long statement in response, which he posted with a photo of himself and his dogs.
Wedding Bells: Dillon and Joe were married in December 2017, just two months after Travis died at the age of 23 from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In response: Dillon took Instagram a long statement in response, which he posted with a photo of himself and his dogs
He wrote: ‘I wanted to publish a post to address Joe’s recent social media activity. He and I, like anyone in any relationship, have gone through ups and downs. This is amplified by the fact that our relationship is very public and by the fact that one of its only vehicles is social media.
‘Unfortunately, it is not the healthiest place to deal with personal matters and it is not how I normally deal with my relationship challenges.
‘Joe is obviously going through difficult times in prison and I don’t think any of us can blame him for that. I never spoke ill of Joe, through the ups and downs and his good and bad side. I see all of this and recognize and understand what it is; a man in prison just trying to do his best. ‘
The Florida bartender added: ‘The presidential pardon we all expected never came and our hopes were dashed. I continue to support Joe and I want to support him. At 25, I also need to make sure that I am healthy, body and mind. I know that although Joe may complain, he wants the best for me as I want him. I’m sure he wants me to lead a full life as you all do for the people you love.
Company of three: Joe was in a polyamorous relationship with Travis and John Finlay, 36, at the time they had an unofficial marriage of three partners in 2015, before he and Finlay fell out.
‘Social media is not natural for me and if I keep quiet, it’s usually because I’m working on all of this and processing the best I can. I didn’t and didn’t want the spotlight. I got thrown into it and I’m doing my best to support Joe, live my life and love my dogs. ‘
He concluded: ‘Be kind to people on social media; you never know the challenges they are dealing with and the difficulties they carry. There is always a hidden struggle for all of us. ‘
Dillon and Joe were married in December 2017, just two months after Travis died at the age of 23 from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Behind bars: he was arrested in September 2018 and later convicted on 17 federal counts of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder in his plot to kill Baskin
Presidential forgiveness: The Kansas native asked President Donald Trump for forgiveness in a September term, sending him a handwritten letter, later suing the Department of Justice in December as a final effort (photo in August 2013)
Joe was in a polyamorous relationship with Travis and John Finlay, 36, at the time they had an unofficial marriage to three partners in 2015, before he and Finlay fell out.
He was arrested in September 2018 and later convicted on 17 federal charges of animal abuse and two counts of attempted murder in his plot to kill Baskin.
The Kansas native apologized to President Donald Trump in September, sending him a handwritten letter, later suing the Justice Department in December as a last-ditch effort.
He recently hired a new legal team, as they plan to use untranslated images of Tiger King to promote a retrial.
Legal action: He recently hired a new Phillips & Hunt legal team, who previously represented the family of Baskin’s missing husband, Don Lewis, as they plan to use untranslated images of Tiger King to press for a retrial.
Phillips & Hunt attorney John Phillips, who previously represented the family of Baskin’s missing husband, Don Lewis, made the announcement in a video at Joe’s Twitter.
He said, ‘We are honored to announce that Joe has hired our company. We will seek a new trial and justice in the criminal and civil courts. ‘
Joe also promised some juicy secrets in Tiger King: The Official Tell-All Memoir, due out in November.
He told E! News of the book: ‘It will be a book that speaks the truth … Everyone who has done something good, will be there and anyone who has bones in their closet, you better be careful.
Dirty secrets: Joe also promised some juicy secrets in Tiger King: The Official Tell-All Memoir, due out in November.