Dillon Passage, who married Joe Exotic in 2017 took to Instagram on Friday to reveal that he is seeking a divorce. He wrote a lengthy Instagram post to explain how their relationship started and why he wants to get a divorce.
“In November of 2017, I met Joe who was there for me during a difficult time in my life. After just 9 short months he was arrested and, for the last two and a half years, we have been apart,” he explained. “I’ve always stood by his side and will continue to always love and support him.”
“When Tiger King was released on Netflix a year ago, my life was thrown into a world of media and public attention. Something that was completely foreign to me. I felt as if I had a microscope constantly looming over me which was and still is incredibly uncomfortable,” he continued.
“With everyone pulling me in different directions, I found my manager @jefftduncan who, despite Joe’s recent social media tirades against, has always acted in my best interest and helped me navigate the complexity of the new situation I found myself in,” he explained about his relationship with Joe Exotic.
“I don’t feel obligated to explain to the world what occurs in my personal life and, despite Joe taking to social media to air every grievance, I don’t feel it’s the healthiest way to handle private matters between two people,” he added. “I, therefore, don’t intend to post any more on this subject.”
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“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 was expecting but we are going to take it day by day. We are on good terms still and I hope it can stay that way. I will continue to have Joe in my life and do my best to support him while he undergoes further legal battles to better his situation.”
“Like I said in my last post, be careful of the assumptions you place on others. Everyone carries a challenge or burden you may not see. This is as true for me as it may be for you,” he concluded.
Passage and Joe’s life was featured in the 2020 docuseries dropped on Netflix. Joe has been convicted of plotting a murder-for-hire against Big Cat Rescue owner Carole Baskin, among other charges. Previously, Passage has opened up about their relationship on March 2 in another Instagram post.
“I wanted to get a post up to address Joe’s recent activity on social media. He and I, like everyone in any relationship, go through their ups and downs,” he said. “This is magnified by the fact that our relationship is very public and the fact that one of his only outlets is social media. Unfortunately, it isn’t the healthiest place to deal with personal affairs and not how I normally handle my relationship challenges.”
“Joe is obviously having a difficult time in prison and I don’t think any of us can fault him for that. I’ve never spoken poorly of Joe, through the ups and the downs and through his good and his bad. I see through all of this and recognize and realize it for what it is; a man in prison just trying to do his best.”
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“The presidential pardon we were all waiting for never came and our hopes were dashed. I remain in support of Joe and want to be there for him. At 25, I also need to make sure I’m healthy, both body and mind. I know even though Joe may rant, he wants the best for me as I do for him. I am certain he wants me to lead a full life as all of you do for the people you love,” he added.
“Social media is not natural to me and if I’m quiet it’s usually because I’m working through all of this and processing to the best of my ability. I didn’t and don’t want the spotlight. I’ve been thrown into this and just doing my best to support Joe, live my life, and love my dogs.”
“Be gentle to people on social; you never know the challenges they are dealing with and the hardships they carry. There is always a hidden struggle for all of us,” he concluded.
For more updates, keep watching this space.
