How many husbands has Carol Baskin had?

Asked by: Hertha Boyle  |  Last update: January 27, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (29 votes)

Carole Baskin has had three husbands: Michael Murdock (married 1979, divorced 1990), Don Lewis (married 1991, declared legally dead 2002), and Howard Baskin (married 2004).

How much did Carole Baskin inherit from her husband?

Carole Baskin inherited the bulk of her missing husband Don Lewis's estate, valued at around $5 to $10 million, via a will that left most assets to her and cut out his family, though the will's authenticity is disputed, with officials calling it a forgery, leading to ongoing legal battles with Lewis's children, who received a $1 million settlement for claims.
 

What was the age difference between Carole and Don?

Carole Baskin and Don Lewis got married in 1991, and they opened Big Cat Rescue in 1992. Don was a self-made millionaire, and while there was a 22-year age difference between the two, things between them seemed fine until 60-year-old Don vanished without a trace in August 1997.

Where did Don Lewis's money go?

Lewis left behind holdings estimated at more than US$5 million, leading to a legal dispute between Baskin and Lewis's children. Lewis was declared legally dead in 2002. Most of his estate was left to Baskin.

Did Martin and Lewis ever reconcile?

Yes, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis did reconcile after a bitter, 20-year feud, thanks to Frank Sinatra, who orchestrated their surprise reunion on Lewis's Muscular Dystrophy Labor Day Telethon in 1976, leading to emotional live TV moments and a renewed, albeit brief, connection before Martin's passing. 

What Happened To Carole Baskins Husband? | Tiger King

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What is Carole Baskin doing now?

Carole Baskin is currently focused on big cat conservation, shifting Big Cat Rescue's mission from sanctuary to protecting wild cats by funding global efforts, advocating for legislation like the Big Cat Public Safety Act, and moving rescued cats to larger refuges like Turpentine Creek in Arkansas, while continuing her animal rights advocacy and using her platform to fight trophy hunting and cub petting.
 

Did George Clooney date Carole Radziwill?

Yes, Real Housewives of New York star Carole Radziwill dated George Clooney briefly in the late 1990s/early 2000s, a relationship she described as "Post-Dr. Doug Ross, pre-Danny Ocean," referring to his roles in ER and Ocean's Eleven. Radziwill confirmed the romance on RHONY, calling him "lovely" and a "great guy," though she kept many details private, saying she doesn't "kiss and tell".
 

Does Carole still have a baby?

Carole gives birth to a daughter, who is unfortunately stillborn. In S11E08, Carole is devastated by the loss of her baby. She's given a bed on the female medical ward rather than maternity. Sister Frances arranges for the child's remains to be buried in a coffin with someone who recently passed away.

What was Chadwick Boseman's net worth when he died?

While numerous sources (including La Grasso Law Offices and People) suggested the actor to have been worth around $12 million, Celebrity Net Worth estimated his net worth at $4 million at the time of his death.

Why did Big Cat Rescue close?

Big Cat Rescue closed its Tampa sanctuary because the successful passage of the Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA) in 2022, which ended private cub petting and ownership, drastically reduced the number of cats needing rescue, making the sanctuary's massive operation financially inefficient and allowing the Baskins to shift focus to global advocacy for wild cat conservation. The remaining animals were moved to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas, with the sale of the Tampa property funding their care and conservation efforts.
 

How rich is Jeff Lowe?

Jeff Lowe's net worth, tied to his involvement in the exotic animal business featured on Tiger King, was estimated between $5 to $10 million around late 2021, stemming from zoo operations like admission fees and tours, though specific, current figures are difficult to pin down as his business dealings, including the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park, faced closure and legal issues after the show, with income streams drying up and ownership changing hands. 

What does Howard Baskin do for a living?

After leaving Citicorp in 1991 he was an equity participant and general manager in three companies, one of which he co-founded. He now devotes full time to Big Cat Rescue as Advisory Board Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary and serves on the Audit Committee.

What happened between Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin?

Baskin sued Exotic for trademark infringement and was eventually awarded a $1 million settlement from him although she was unable to collect most of it. As a result of the order, Exotic filed for bankruptcy.

Does Carole Baskin still have big cats?

Owners Howard and Carole Baskin shared that their remaining cats were successfully relocated to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas by December 2023. The Baskins helped build new enclosures for the cats and will fund their care for the rest of the animals' lives.

Who did Radziwill leave her money to?

Lee Radziwill left her entire fortune, estimated at around $50 million, to her only surviving child, Anna Christina "Tina" Radziwill, with her will specifically excluding her niece Caroline Kennedy and daughter-in-law Carole Radziwill, despite some public disputes over alleged prior promises, according to reports from around her 2019 death. Her complex estate planning utilized trusts to pass assets through generations, ultimately benefiting Tina through a special power of appointment.
 

Has Amal Clooney had cosmetic surgery?

While Amal Clooney hasn't confirmed any procedures, plastic surgery experts suggest she likely uses injectables like Botox and fillers for subtle enhancement, possibly rhinoplasty (nose job) for refinement, and skin treatments like lasers for texture, attributing her youthful look to "minimal" intervention and professional aesthetic care rather than dramatic surgery.
 

Who is Carole Radziwill's best friend?

Carole Radziwill's closest best friend was Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy, wife of John F. Kennedy Jr., a relationship deeply explored in Radziwill's memoir What Remains. Their friendship was profound, marked by shared moments and tragedy when they both lost their husbands (Carole's husband Anthony Radziwill, and JFK Jr.) and Carolyn within a short period in 1999, as noted by this Apple Podcast and this Bravo TV article. 

What does Carole Baskin do today?

Carole Baskin is focused on the survival of wild cat species, seeing them as keystone protectors of ecosystems. While she founded Big Cat Rescue as a sanctuary for abused exotic cats, the organization now centers on conserving wild cats in their natural habitats.

Is Joe Exotic still married?

Joe Exotic is a married man! On Monday, April 21, the Tiger King star, 62, whose real name is Joseph Maldonado-Passage, announced that he had tied the knot with Jorge Marquez. He shared a photo on X of himself and his new husband on Tuesday, April 22, to mark the milestone.

Why did Carole Baskin sue Joe?

Carole Baskin's Big Cat Rescue sues Joe Exotic and Big Cat Rescue Entertainment in early 2011 for trademark violation over the logo. According to public records, Big Cat Rescue was opened in 1995, and they didn't apply for the trademark on the logo until 2004.

How much did Carole Baskin sell Big Cat Rescue for?

The iconic Big Cat Rescue, spanning 54 acres in Tampa's Citrus Park area, has been sold to Boos Development for a whopping $19.5 million.

Is Catty Shack Ranch a real sanctuary?

Yes, Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary is a real, licensed 501(c)(3) non-profit sanctuary in Jacksonville, Florida, dedicated to rescuing and providing a forever home for endangered big cats and other exotic animals, focusing on education and rescue rather than breeding or selling. They offer a loving, no-contact environment with proper care, vet services, and enrichment, funded by visitors, donations, and sponsorships.