Iowa’s “American Pickers” Reunite After a Three-Year Separation

Fans of the long-running History Channel show American Pickers have been left to grasp at straws in regards to the relationship and current-standing of the two longtime hosts. However, a recent development signals that the two Iowa celebrities have at least mended fences in some regard.

For those unaware, the last couple years have been turbulent for both Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, the two stars of American Pickers, which has been running for 13 years. In 2021, History Channel confirmed Fritz would be leaving the show. Around the same time, it was revealed that Fritz had suffered a debilitating stroke.

Since then, Fritz has been on a long road to recovery while Wolfe has been hosting the show with series mainstay Danielle Colby. Meanwhile, Wolfe has been mostly mum on Fritz's absence, simply offering this statement when History Channel confirmed his longtime partner would no longer be on the show:

I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me [....] 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.

But over the long Memorial Day weekend, both Mike and Frank reunited for the first time in three years, as reported by The Des Moines Register.

Wolfe and Fritz reunited over the holiday weekend, and Wolfe expressed optimism that his partner may one day return to the show. For now, however, Frank is understandably focused on his health and wellbeing. Last year, Fritz's stroke left him so impaired that he was placed under temporary guardianship, with a longtime friend of his handling his finances and other necessities such as food and medical care.

Since his stroke, Fritz has been recovering at his home in Davenport. He's been unemployed for a couple years, but still has his antique store in Savanna, IL as well as multiple collections surely worth an incredible amount of money.

Where so-called celebrity "feuds" have been known to get nasty and combative, Wolfe has been steadfast in offering nothing but love to his longtime friend and TV co-star, at least publicly. This is what Wolfe posted when Fritz initially suffered the aforementioned stroke:

I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank's 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. [....] Frank I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you buddy.

Read the full story about Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz's reunion on The Des Moines Register.