“American Pickers” Star Frank Fritz Under Guardianship Following Stroke
on Oct 12, 2022
Back in July, American Pickers star Mike Wolfe revealed that his former co-star Frank Fritz suffered a stroke.
“I have been very private in the past year in regards to Franks life and the journey he’s been on. There has been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend,” Mike wrote. “Frank has suffered a stroke and is in the hospital. Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts. Frank I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you buddy.”
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American Pickers premiered on the History Channel in 2010 and followed Fritz and Wolfe around the country as they searched for antiques and collectibles. The show aired for 22 seasons with Fritz’s last episode airing in March 2020. The History Channel announced his official departure from the show in July 2021. Following Fritz’s exit, Wolfe issued a statement wishing his friend well.
“I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me,” Mike Wolfe said in a statement. “The journey that Frank, Dani (Danielle), and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding. I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”
Fritz’s departure from American Pickers was blamed on a rift between him and Mike Wolfe that happened to coincide with the pandemic. In July 2021, Fritz told The Sun, “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years. He knew my back was messed up, but he didn’t call me up and ask how I was doing. That’s just how it is.”
Later in July, he shared an update with The Sun saying that he would be checking into a rehabilitation center for alcohol abuse after being fired from American Pickers. He also shared that he hoped to return to the series, but the History Channel “hadn’t given him a definite answer.”
One month after his stroke, a longtime friend of Fritz’s filed for a conservatorship over the former American Pickers star’s finances.
“Because of his stroke, Mr. Fritz’s decision-making capacity is so impaired that he is unable to care for his own safety, or to provide for necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, or medical care,” the petition states in the filing for guardianship. His friend states that Fritz is “unable to make, communicate, or carry out important decisions concerning his own financial affairs.”
The guardianship “is necessary to avoid immediate harm,” the friend stated in the filing.
According to the Des Moines Register, the guardianship was just approved.
“There are sufficient allegations to warrant appointment of a guardian and conservator on an emergency basis, including a letter from the Protected Party’s physician indicating he is unable to make decisions for himself,” Judge Henry Latham wrote, approving the guardianship.
We wish Frank the best during his recovery.
