Net Worth Ranker
What Is Joe Exotic’s Net Worth?
Joe Exotic, whose real name is Joseph Allen Schreibvogel, an American former zoo operator, convicted felon, and reality TV personality, currently has a net worth estimated at -$1 million. This negative net worth is largely attributed to legal judgments against him, particularly a $1 million judgment awarded to Carole Baskin in a trademark dispute. The financial implications of this judgment, coupled with other legal battles, have significantly impacted his financial standing.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on March 5, 1963, in Garden City, Kansas, to Francis and Shirly Schreibvogel, Joe Exotic’s early life provided a foundation for his eventual, albeit controversial, career path. He grew up with four siblings and eventually moved to Texas where he attended Pilot Point High School. Following graduation, he joined the Eastvale police department and ascended to the role of police chief in 1982. His career in law enforcement was cut short by an alleged car accident in 1985, which led to his departure from the police force. Details surrounding this accident remain somewhat inconsistent across various accounts given by Joe over the years.
Transition to Exotic Animals and the G.W. Zoo
After the 1985 accident, Joe Exotic relocated to West Palm Beach, Florida, where he managed a pet store, marking his initial foray into the world of animals. This experience ignited his passion for exotic animals, leading him to return to Texas and open a pet store in Arlington with his brother, G.W., in 1986. A turning point occurred in 1997 with the tragic death of his brother in a car accident. Joe sold the pet shop and used the proceeds to purchase a 16-acre farm in Oklahoma. Over the next two years, he developed the land into the Garold Wayne Exotic Animal Memorial Park, named in honor of his brother, which opened in 1999. The zoo’s initial inhabitants included two of his brother’s pets. In 2000, he acquired his first two tigers, animals that had been abandoned. Additionally, he acquired some alligators previously owned by Michael Jackson. Over the next two decades, Joe dedicated himself to owning and operating the G.W. Zoo.
Rise to Fame and the “Tiger King” Documentary
In 2002, Joe Exotic encountered a traveling musician who incorporated tigers into his illusion performances, sparking Joe’s interest in developing a similar act. This encounter led to the acquisition of more large cats and the initiation of traveling magic shows, where Joe adopted the stage name “Joe Exotic”. A central element of these shows was allowing audience members to interact with lion cubs and take photographs. These shows evolved into cub petting events, prompting Joe to breed the cats to ensure a steady supply of cubs. To amplify the shows’ appeal, Joe adopted a flamboyant persona, highlighted by his signature bleached mullet hairstyle. His exotic animal park and persona garnered media attention over the years, but it was the 2020 Netflix documentary series, “Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness,” that catapulted him to international notoriety. The series, which chronicled his escalating feud with Carole Baskin, founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue, became a viral sensation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Legal Troubles, Conviction, and Incarceration
Throughout his career, Joe Exotic faced numerous legal challenges, culminating in his arrest in 2018 on charges related to a plot to murder Carole Baskin. The investigations surrounding Joe involved his treatment of animals at his zoo. He was ultimately convicted on multiple counts, including hiring someone to murder Baskin, falsifying wildlife records, and violating the Endangered Species Act by killing five tigers and selling tigers across state lines. In January 2020, he received a 22-year prison sentence. Despite appeals for pardons from both President Trump and President Biden, none have been successful. The legal judgments against him, particularly the $1 million judgment awarded to Carole Baskin in a trademark dispute, significantly contributed to his negative net worth.
Financial Impact of the Carole Baskin Lawsuit
The lawsuit filed by Carole Baskin against Joe Exotic, stemming from trademark infringement and animal welfare concerns, had a devastating financial impact on Joe. The court ruled in Baskin’s favor, ordering Joe to pay her a $1 million judgment. Furthermore, Baskin was awarded control of Joe’s zoo properties, exacerbating his financial distress. Joe attempted to circumvent this judgment by transferring ownership of the zoos to his mother, but Baskin successfully overturned this transfer in court. The judgment also granted Baskin control of several vehicles and houses located on the property. The combined effect of these legal setbacks has resulted in Joe Exotic’s current negative net worth of -$1 million.
Other Ventures and Personal Life
Aside from operating the zoo, Joe Exotic pursued other creative ventures, including an attempt at a country music career. Some of his original music was featured in “Tiger King”. He also entered the political arena, running for president in the 2016 election and participating in the 2018 Libertarian Party primary for the Oklahoma Governor election. Joe Exotic has been open about his sexual orientation and has had several relationships. His first known partner, Brian Rhyne, died from complications related to HIV in 2001. He later had relationships with employees of the zoo, including John Finlay and Travis Maldonado. Joe, Finlay, and Maldonado were unofficially married to each other shortly after Maldonado’s arrival at the zoo in 2013, but they had a falling out. Joe legally married Maldonado, who fatally shot himself at the zoo in 2017. Later that year, Joe married Dillon Passage, who ended the relationship in 2021. In 2021, Joe was diagnosed with prostate cancer while in prison and was transferred to the Federal Medical Center in North Carolina for treatment.
