Joe Exotic, born Joseph Allen Schreibvogel, is a former zoo operator who gained worldwide notoriety due to his involvement in the Netflix documentary series Tiger King.
Once the proud owner of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in Oklahoma, Joe’s life was marked by a blend of ambition, controversy, and scandal.
His financial situation, however, has taken a severe downturn, with his current net worth standing at an astounding -$1 million. This negative net worth is the result of legal battles, criminal convictions, and the loss of his zoo.
In this article, we explore Joe Exotic’s financial status, his rise to fame, his legal issues, and his ongoing struggles with finances and health.
- Biography Table
- Early Life and Career Beginnings
- Joe Exotic’s Net Worth Breakdown
- Joe Exotic’s Journey into Exotic Animal Ownership
- Conviction on Multiple Charges
- Loss of His Zoo and Assets
- Personal Life and Relationships
- Joe Exotic’s Financial Decline
- Conclusion: A Life of Fame, Fortune, and Fall
- People May Ask
- What is Joe Exotic’s current net worth?
- Why was Joe Exotic imprisoned?
- What happened to Joe Exotic’s zoo?
- What is Joe Exotic’s personal life like?
Biography Table
| Full Name | Joseph Allen Schreibvogel (Joe Exotic) |
| Born | March 5, 1963 |
| Place of Birth | Garden City, Kansas, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Exotic Animal Park Owner, Reality TV Star, Convicted Felon |
| Profession | Former Zoo Operator, Former Reality TV Personality |
| Spouse(s) | Travis Maldonado (deceased), Dillon Passage |
| Children | None |
| Net Worth | -$1 Million (2024) |
| Criminal Charges | Animal Abuse, Murder-for-Hire, Wildlife Violations |
| Sentence | 22 Years in Federal Prison |
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Birth Name: Joseph Allen Schreibvogel
Born: March 5, 1963, Garden City, Kansas, USA
Parents: Francis and Shirley Schreibvogel
Siblings: 4
Education: Pilot Point High School, Texas
First Career: Police Officer, Eastvale Police Department
Joe Exotic was born in Garden City, Kansas, but grew up in Texas. After high school, he joined the Eastvale Police Department, where he eventually became chief of police.
His career in law enforcement ended abruptly in 1985 after a car accident, leading him to shift his focus to other ventures.
Joe’s interest in exotic animals began during his time managing a pet store in Florida, and it wasn’t long before he became involved in the world of breeding and exhibiting big cats.
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Joe Exotic’s Net Worth Breakdown
Joe Exotic’s financial history is one of rapid rise followed by an even faster fall. As of 2024, his estimated net worth stands at -1 million dollars, primarily due to the massive legal fees, judgments, and the loss of his zoo and assets.
Joe Exotic’s troubles began when he was convicted on multiple charges of animal abuse and attempted murder-for-hire, resulting in a 22-year federal prison sentence.
With little to no income while incarcerated and his assets taken away, it’s unlikely that Joe will recover from this financial setback.
Joe Exotic’s Journey into Exotic Animal Ownership
Zoo Name: Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park (G.W. Zoo)
Location: Wynnewood, Oklahoma
Founded: 1999
Notable Animals: Tigers, Lions, Alligators
After moving to Oklahoma, Joe Exotic opened the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park in 1999.
The zoo became home to hundreds of exotic animals, including rare and endangered species like tigers and lions.
Over the years, Joe Exotic became well-known for his flashy persona, which included a signature bleached mullet and outrageous outfits. He even launched a traveling magic show featuring his big cats, further cementing his place in pop culture.
However, the zoo’s success was short-lived, overshadowed by mounting legal issues and accusations of animal cruelty.
Conviction on Multiple Charges
Joe Exotic’s legal issues began to escalate in the late 2010s, largely due to his bitter rivalry with Carole Baskin, an animal rights activist who owned the Big Cat Rescue sanctuary in Florida.
In 2018, Joe Exotic was arrested and charged with animal abuse, including the unlawful killing of tigers, as well as attempting to hire a hitman to murder Carole Baskin.
In 2020, Joe was convicted on 17 counts of animal abuse and two counts of murder-for-hire. He was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison. His conviction also included violations of wildlife laws and a series of fraud-related crimes. Joe’s loss of income due to his imprisonment and the court’s ruling on his zoo assets has left him deeply in debt.
Loss of His Zoo and Assets
In addition to criminal convictions, Joe Exotic was required to pay $1 million in damages in a trademark dispute with Carole Baskin.
The court awarded Baskin control of Joe’s zoo properties, which were later transferred under her ownership. Despite Joe’s attempts to conceal his ownership by transferring assets to his mother, Baskin successfully overturned these actions.
Consequently, Joe lost not only his zoo but also a significant portion of his property, including several vehicles and homes.
Personal Life and Relationships
First Known Partner: Brian Rhyne (Deceased in 2001)
Other Partners: John Finlay, Travis Maldonado, Dillon Passage
Marital Status: Married twice
Joe Exotic’s personal life has been filled with turbulent relationships. He was openly gay and had several high-profile partners, including John Finlay, Travis Maldonado, and Dillon Passage.
Joe’s marriage to Travis Maldonado in 2014 ended tragically in 2017 when Travis died by suicide. Later, Joe married Dillon Passage, though their relationship ended in 2021.
Joe’s personal struggles were compounded by ongoing health issues. In 2021, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, prompting his transfer to a medical facility in North Carolina for treatment.
Joe Exotic’s Financial Decline
Joe Exotic’s financial ruin can be attributed to several factors:
- Legal Fees: His $1 million judgment in the trademark case and his criminal convictions resulted in significant financial penalties.
- Loss of Assets: The court awarded Carole Baskin control of Joe’s zoo, properties, and various assets, further diminishing his wealth.
- Prison Sentence: With Joe incarcerated, his ability to earn income has been severely limited. His former business ventures, including the zoo, have long been shuttered.
Joe’s attempts to capitalize on his fame from Tiger King have not been sufficient to recover his finances. His debts, combined with his inability to generate income from behind bars, leave him in an ongoing state of financial struggle.
Conclusion: A Life of Fame, Fortune, and Fall
Joe Exotic’s story is a cautionary tale of fame gone wrong. Once a successful exotic animal park operator and reality TV star, Joe now finds himself serving a lengthy prison sentence with a negative net worth.
His journey from a small-town police officer to an international sensation in the wake of Tiger King has been marked by scandal, legal battles, and personal loss.
Unfortunately, the financial damage from his crimes, coupled with his prison sentence, ensures that Joe Exotic’s financial future remains bleak.
People May Ask
What is Joe Exotic’s current net worth?
Joe Exotic’s net worth in 2024 is estimated to be -1 million dollars, primarily due to his prison sentence and the financial fallout from legal judgments and asset losses.
Why was Joe Exotic imprisoned?
Joe Exotic was convicted of animal abuse, including the killing of tigers, and attempting to hire a hitman to kill his rival Carole Baskin.
What happened to Joe Exotic’s zoo?
Joe Exotic’s zoo, the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, was taken over by Carole Baskin after a court ruling in her favor following a trademark dispute.
What is Joe Exotic’s personal life like?
Joe Exotic has had several partners over the years, including Travis Maldonado and Dillon Passage, and has been open about his sexuality. He has also faced personal tragedies, including the death of his partner Travis.
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