Mike Wolfe: Divorce, Frank Fritz Death & Danielle Colby Exit

If you’ve followed the rise of antique picking on television, you’ve probably noticed that Mike Wolfe’s personal and professional life has taken some sharp turns lately, including a divorce, the death of his longtime co-host Frank Fritz, and a key cast member’s departure. Here’s a clear, fact-based look at what’s actually happened and what it means for the show and its fans.

TV series created: American Pickers (2010) · Approximate net worth: $5 million (estimated) · Followers on Instagram: 714,000 · Co-host until 2024: Frank Fritz · Status of show: Ongoing on History Channel

Six key facts about Mike Wolfe, from his biography to his current status, summarized in one table.

What happened with Mike Wolfe?

Divorce from Jodi Faeth in 2023

• Mike Wolfe and Jodi Faeth divorced after 9 years of marriage; the split was officially announced in 2023 (TV Insider).
• Court filings cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce (Newsweek).
• Wolfe’s demanding schedule and frequent travel reportedly contributed to the strain, though no public allegations of infidelity were confirmed.

Death of co-host Frank Fritz in 2024

• Frank Fritz died on September 4, 2024, at age 60, after a stroke and years of health issues including aortic stenosis and COPD (TV Insider).
• Mike Wolfe announced the death on Instagram and confirmed he attended the funeral, saying he was “blessed” to have been by Fritz’s side during his final journey home (FOX 13 News).
• Wolfe told People in November 2024 that he and Fritz had reconciled before Fritz’s death (TV Insider).

Danielle Colby’s departure from the show in 2025

• Danielle Colby announced her departure from American Pickers in early 2025 to pursue personal projects (Newsweek).
• She stated that she and Wolfe remain close friends and support each other (Newsweek).
• Colby also reflected on Fritz’s death, saying the show had ended after 27 seasons, though the History Channel has not officially confirmed the series’ cancellation (Yahoo Entertainment).

How has Mike Wolfe’s career evolved?

Early picking days

• Mike Wolfe started picking at age 4, collecting antiques and attending flea markets with his mother (Wikipedia).
• He turned his passion into a full-time business, opening Antique Archaeology in Le Claire, Iowa, and later a second location in Nashville, Tennessee.

Creation of American Pickers

• Wolfe created and pitched the concept of American Pickers to the History Channel, which premiered in 2010 (History.com).
• The show follows Wolfe and his co-hosts as they travel across the U.S. discovering rare antiques and artifacts.

Recent projects and ventures

• Beyond the show, Wolfe has authored books and continues to run Antique Archaeology, which sells curated finds and merchandise.
• He remains active on Instagram (714,000 followers) and frequently posts about his picking trips and personal life.

What is Mike Wolfe’s net worth?

Mike Wolfe’s estimated net worth is around $5 million, according to multiple entertainment and finance outlets (Celebrity Net Worth). No verified official figures from audited financials exist, so these remain estimates based on his show income, merchandise sales, and antique business.

Six figures from the show, plus revenue from Antique Archaeology and book deals, form the bulk of his wealth. The American Pickers brand also generates licensing and appearance fees.

Timeline

• 2010: American Pickers premieres on History Channel, starring Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz.
• 2020: Frank Fritz takes a break from the show due to health issues; Wolfe continues with guest pickers.
• 2022: Wolfe and his wife Jodi Faeth separate; divorce finalized in 2023.
• September 2024: Frank Fritz dies; Wolfe attends his funeral and posts a tribute.
• Early 2025: Danielle Colby announces her departure from American Pickers; maintains friendship with Wolfe.

The pattern: every major link in Wolfe’s original on-screen partnership has been severed within two years, leaving him to redefine the show without his longest-running collaborators.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Mike Wolfe divorced Jodi Faeth in 2023 (public court filings).
• Frank Fritz died September 4, 2024 (obituaries, Wolfe’s tribute).
• Wolfe attended Frank’s funeral (Wolfe’s own social media).
• Danielle Colby left American Pickers in 2025 (Colby’s statement).

What’s unclear

• Exact nature of the “tragedy” referenced in some searches — no specific incident confirmed by official sources.
• Whether Mike Wolfe has a serious illness — no medical records or confirmed statements.
• Whether Wolfe was physically present when Fritz died — only Wolfe’s social media post states this.
• Official cancellation status of American Pickers — History Channel has not confirmed Colby’s claim that the series ended.

The catch: while four major events are solidly confirmed, several related claims remain unverified, and fans should treat them as speculation until official sources weigh in.

Quotes

“I was so blessed to be by his side during his final journey home.”

— Mike Wolfe, via Instagram, confirming he was with Frank Fritz when he died (FOX 13 News)

“I’m stepping away from American Pickers to focus on my own projects, but Mike and I will always be family.”

— Danielle Colby, announcing her departure in 2025 (Newsweek)

“Irreconcilable differences” was the reason cited in the divorce petition.

— Jodi Faeth, via court filings (TV Insider)

For fans of American Pickers, the takeaway is clear: the show’s original trio is no more, and Wolfe must navigate a new era without his two closest collaborators. The choice to continue the franchise with fresh co-hosts will either renew interest or dilute the brand that made Wolfe a household name.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Two and a Half Men: Cast Deaths, Cancellation, and Apologies
• Peter Boyle: Cause of Death, Co-Star Bonds & Net Worth