Tonia Haddix is a polarizing figure in the world of animal rights and exotic animal care. Best known for her role in the recently released HBO Max documentary series, Chimp Crazy , Haddix has gained significant attention due to her involvement with chimpanzees, particularly after a controversy regarding the supposed death of her pet chimpanzee, Tonka. Despite the legal battles and media attention, Tonia Haddix remains a passionate advocate for animal care, balancing multiple business ventures and maintaining a mysterious financial profile. In this article, we’ll explore her net worth, age, family life, and career in 2024.
Table of Contents
Who is Tonia Haddix?
Tonia Haddix is a former registered nurse turned exotic animal broker, known as the “Dolly Parton of Chimps.” She operates as a caretaker and foster parent to various exotic animals, particularly chimpanzees, at her nursery in Missouri. She gained widespread attention after her role in Chimp Crazy , a documentary series that highlights her complicated and often controversial life as an animal rescuer.
Haddix first entered the public spotlight through her ongoing battle with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) over the living conditions of the animals in her care. Most notably, she was accused of lying about the death of Tonka, a chimpanzee under her custody, which led to a legal battle that is still ongoing in 2024. PETA is pushing for perjury charges against Haddix, keeping her embroiled in controversy even as she continues her animal advocacy work.
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Tonia Haddix’s Age and Physical Appearance
Tonia Haddix was born on August 7,1969 which makes her a Leo, and as of 2024, she is 55 years old. Originally from Ozark, Missouri, she now resides in Sunrise Beach, Missouri, where she continues her work with exotic animals.
Physically, Haddix is often described as having a striking, no-nonsense presence. Standing at 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm), she has a commanding yet warm appearance, often sporting casual, practical attire suited to her active lifestyle. With her natural brown hair and the self-assigned moniker “Dolly Parton of Chimps,” Haddix’s appearance reflects her down-to-earth, hands-on approach to life and work.
Family Life: Husband, Parents, and Children
Tonia Haddix’s personal life has been filled with both joy and tragedy. She was first married to Gary Dean Haddix, a truck driver who later worked for Ruggles Farms. Gary passed away in December 2020, leaving Tonia to manage their animal sanctuary. In 2021, she remarried Jerry Aswegan, a businessman from the Kansas City area who owned a mobile petting zoo. Together, the couple launched a family-run zoo near Lake of the Ozarks, called Sunrise Beach Safari.
Despite her public career, Haddix maintains a somewhat private family life. She has two children, Justin and Erica Range, both of whom have supported her ventures. Justin is featured in Chimp Crazy , showing his involvement in the family business. Tonia also has grandchildren, but it’s clear that her deep attachment to her animals sometimes overshadows her relationship with her family. In fact, Haddix has controversially stated that she loves her pet chimp, Tonka, more than her own children.
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Tonia Haddix’s Career and Business Ventures
Tonia Haddix’s career began far from the world of exotic animals. In 2010, she was working as a registered nurse, earning a modest salary of around $60,000 per year. However, after transitioning into the world of exotic animal care and advocacy, her life took a dramatic turn.
She took over a chimp nursery in Missouri, where she began raising and caring for chimpanzees. While her passion for animals remains unquestioned, her methods have frequently come under fire. Organizations like PETA have accused her of providing inadequate care for the animals and have been involved in multiple legal battles against her. In particular, the controversy surrounding the supposed death of Tonka whom Haddix falsely claimed had passed away has only intensified her public profile.
Aside from her work with chimpanzees, Tonia and her husband, Jerry Aswegan, manage several business ventures, including the family-run zoo in Sunrise Beach, Missouri. Their mobile petting zoo and animal care services contribute to their income, making them financially stable despite legal setbacks. Haddix’s work in exotic animal brokerage also adds to her revenue streams, although it remains unclear how much profit she makes from these activities versus how much is reinvested into the care of the animals.
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Net Worth
Tonia Haddix’s exact net worth is unknown, but estimates suggest it’s in the millions based on her ability to sustain an annual income of approximately $275,000 to $300,000. This revenue likely comes from her multiple ventures, including the family-run Sunrise Beach Safari and her husband Jerry Aswegan’s mobile petting zoo business. Despite these substantial earnings, her financial situation is heavily influenced by ongoing legal battles, especially her conflict with PETA, and the high costs associated with maintaining her exotic animal sanctuary, including veterinary care and legal expenses.
Controversy and Legal Battles
Tonia Haddix has been at the center of multiple legal controversies, most notably the ongoing case regarding her false claims about Tonka’s death. PETA has accused Haddix of lying about the chimpanzee’s fate and is pushing for perjury charges. This legal battle has drawn significant public attention, partly due to its inclusion in the Chimp Crazy documentary series.
The outcome of this case could have a lasting impact on Haddix’s career and financial standing. If convicted of perjury, it could result in both legal penalties and damage to her reputation. However, Haddix has remained defiant, continuing her advocacy for exotic animals despite these challenges.
Final Thoughts on Tonia Haddix’s Life and Career
Tonia Haddix is a complex figure. On one hand, she is a passionate advocate for animal rights, dedicating her life to caring for exotic animals, particularly chimpanzees. On the other hand, her legal battles and controversial methods have raised questions about her approach to animal welfare.
In 2024, Haddix’s career, personal life, and finances remain intertwined with her love for animals. Her work, including the family-run zoo and mobile petting zoo, continues to generate income, but her legal troubles cast a shadow over her financial success. With an estimated net worth that remains speculative, Haddix continues to fight for her place in the world of animal advocacy, even as her life plays out in the public eye through documentaries and legal scrutiny. Despite the controversies, she remains a committed and outspoken figure in the exotic animal care industry, and her future is sure to be closely watched by both supporters and critics alike.
Table Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Tonia Haddix |
| Age | 55 (as of 2024) |
| Birthday | August 7 |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Hometown | Ozark, Missouri |
| Current Residence | Sunrise Beach, Missouri |
| Occupation | Exotic Animal Broker, Animal Rights Advocate, Former Registered Nurse |
| Known For | Featured in HBO Max’s Chimp Crazy documentary; controversies with PETA over animal care |
| Former Occupation | Registered Nurse |
| Notable Animals | Chimpanzees, particularly her pet chimpanzee, Tonka |
| Legal Controversies | Accused of lying about Tonka’s death; ongoing legal battles with PETA |
| First Husband | Gary Dean Haddix (died in 2020) |
| Second Husband | Jerry Aswegan (married in 2021) |
| Children | Son: Justin Range (featured in Chimp Crazy), Daughter: Erica Range |
| Grandchildren | Yes |
| Business Ventures | Family-run zoo in Sunrise Beach, Missouri; Mobile petting zoo |
| Estimated Net Worth | Estimated in the low millions (unconfirmed, due to legal expenses and animal care costs) |
| Controversy | Legal battles with PETA, false claims regarding chimpanzee death |
| Animal Advocacy Focus | Rescue and care of exotic animals, especially chimpanzees |
| Physical Appearance | Height: 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm); Natural brown hair; Practical attire suited to animal care |
| Documentary | Chimp Crazy (HBO Max) |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Tonia Haddix?
Tonia Haddix is an exotic animal broker, former nurse, and animal rights advocate known for her work with chimpanzees and other exotic animals. She gained widespread attention after being featured in HBO Max’s documentary Chimp Crazy and for her ongoing legal battles with PETA over the care of her animals.
2. What is Tonia Haddix’s net worth?
Tonia Haddix’s exact net worth remains unknown. While she has multiple income streams from her family-run zoo and exotic animal ventures, her legal battles and the costs associated with animal care have made it difficult to estimate her financial status. It’s speculated to be in the low millions.
3. What controversy is Tonia Haddix involved in?
Tonia Haddix is involved in a legal battle with PETA, stemming from accusations that she lied about the death of her pet chimpanzee, Tonka. PETA is pushing for perjury charges, and the case has become a major point of public controversy, which is featured in Chimp Crazy.
4. Who is Tonia Haddix’s husband?
Tonia Haddix was first married to Gary Dean Haddix, who passed away in 2020. In 2021, she remarried Jerry Aswegan, who owns a mobile petting zoo business. Together, they run a family zoo near Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri.
5. What is Chimp Crazy about?
Chimp Crazy is a four-part documentary series on HBO Max that explores Tonia Haddix’s life as an exotic animal broker and caretaker. The series delves into her controversial career, including her work with chimpanzees, her legal disputes, and her polarizing position in the animal welfare community.
