Tiger King star Joe Exotic files for divorce from husband Dillon Passage a year after their separation

Tiger King's Joe Exotic has filed for divorce from husband Dillon Passage as he serves a 22-year sentence for plotting to murder rival Carole Baskin. 

The former animal trainer, 59, is hoping he and his ex, 25, 'can both move on with their lives and divorce quickly and amicably,' his lawyer, Autumn Blackledge told TMZ. 

The news comes a year after the bartender reportedly pulled the plug on their four-year marriage via a phone call to the Fort Worth, Texas prison.

At the time, Exotic - full name Joseph Allen Maldonado-Passage - was said to be heartbroken 'considering rushing to file a petition to divorce in order to beat Passage.'

A source claimed the star emailed a friend while fresh from the phone call, telling them he felt 'abandoned and alone and just wanted to mean something to someone,' per TMZ.

Though the past owner of the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park appeared upset about the split, Dillon said, at the time, that there are no hard feelings and he will still support Joe through his prison sentence.

Passage reportedly called it quits with Joe because he grew lonely during his husband's time behind bars and wanted to date again.

In July 2021, he posted a picture of his new boyfriend John, who he called his 'rock' and said has helped him 'get through it all' during some 'hard' times.    

Four months prior, Passage detailed his and Joe Exotic's breakup in a social media post, which read, 'To answer the main question the public wants to know, yes, Joe and I are seeking a divorce.

'This wasn't an easy decision to make but Joe and I both understand that this situation isn't fair to either of us. It's something that neither of us were expecting but we are going to take it day by day.'

Passage said he would 'continue to have Joe in [his] life and do [his] best to support him while he undergoes further legal battles to better his situation.'

The couple initially tied the knot December 11, 2017, months after Exotic's previous spouse Travis Maldonado died after accidentally shooting himself October 6, 2017.

Authorities said Exotic in December 2017 attempted to bribe an FBI agent to murder Baskin, and was recorded saying, 'Just like follow her into a mall parking lot and just cap her and drive off.'

Exotic was also convicted in connection with numerous wildlife law violations in the deaths of five tigers, and infractions of the Endangered Species Act.

He found fast fame while incarcerated amid the release of the popular Netflix doc Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness.