From a young 4-year-old kid who loved tinkering to one of the country’s most renowned foragers, Mike Wolfe is the perfect example of where passion can lead you. The face of the American TV reality show American Pickers, Mike has traveled around the world in search of treasure. To Mike, dilapidated barns and overgrown yards embody the beauty of longs-lost things. Wolfe takes to the road with his trusted partner Frank Fritz and has been together for more than 20 years. Taking the words of Wolfe, “A picker’s kind of like a nomad”. To him, the people and stories he meets along the way are an integral part of the journey. He also owns a small shop in Le Claire, Iowa, and Nashville, Tennessee. They have become a center for Antique Archaeology with tourists flocking from around the world.
Table of Content
Growing Up
Mike Wolfe, the renowned American picker and television personality, was born on June 11, 1964, in Joliet, Illinois. He is the second of three children raised by his single mother, Rita Wolfe, who divorced his biological father when Mike was young. Mike has an older brother named Robbie Wolfe and a younger sister named Beth Wolfe. From a young age, he developed a passion for picking, scavenging old bicycles and other items from his neighbors’ trash. He attended Sudlow Intermediate School and Bettendorf High School in Iowa, where he honed his skills as a competitive bicycle racer. After graduating from high school, he did not pursue higher education but instead focused on his career as a professional picker, antique hunter, and entrepreneur.
Career & Progression
Mike Wolfe is a man of many talents and passions. He is a television personality, a professional picker, an antique hunter, an author, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropist. He is best known as the main cast of the popular TV show “American Pickers” on the History Channel, where he travels across the country in search of hidden treasures and historical artifacts.
Wolfe’s interest in picking started at a young age, when he would scavenge through trash and find items that he could sell or trade. He sold his first pick, a discarded bike, for five dollars when he was only six years old. He later developed a fascination with bicycles and motorcycles, which he collected and restored. He also worked as a bicycle messenger and assembler in his youth.
Wolfe turned his hobby into a profession when he started his own business called Antique Archaeology. He opened his first store in LeClaire, Iowa, and later expanded to Nashville, Tennessee. He also launched an official website and social media handles for his business, where he showcases his finds and sells them to customers.
Television
Wolfe’s career took off in 2010, when he pitched his idea for a TV show about picking to the History Channel. The show, titled “American Pickers”, became an instant hit and has been running for 24 seasons. Wolfe co-hosts the show with his longtime partner Frank Fritz, and occasionally with his brother Robbie. The show follows them as they visit various locations and negotiate with collectors, hoarders, and sellers. As a professional picker, Mike Wolfe travels across the country in search of “rusty gold” – vintage and antique items that he can buy and sell in his Antique Archaeology stores. Wolfe has a keen eye for spotting valuable and rare items, such as vintage cars, signs, toys, memorabilia, and more.
Wolfe has also made appearances in other TV programs, such as NCIS, The Big Pick, Pieces of History, Pawn Stars, and others.
Rumors and Controversies
Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz were the faces of “American Pickers”. The show was a hit for the History Channel, attracting millions of viewers who enjoyed watching the duo’s adventures and discoveries. But behind the scenes, things were not so rosy. In 2021, it was revealed that Fritz had left the show after a bitter feud with Wolfe. The two had not spoken in two years, and Fritz accused Wolfe of being dishonest. He also claimed that Wolfe had not reached out to him after he underwent back surgery and struggled with alcohol addiction. Wolfe, on the other hand, issued a vague statement saying that he would miss Fritz and wished him the best.
The fans were shocked and saddened by the news, as they had grown to love the chemistry and camaraderie between the two pickers. Some sided with Fritz, blaming Wolfe for being a bad friend and a bad boss. Others defended Wolfe, saying that Fritz had his own personal issues and was not fit for the show. Many wondered what would happen to the show without Fritz, and whether it could survive with only Wolfe and Danielle Colby, the shop manager who occasionally joined them on the road.
The controversy also brought to light some other rumors and scandals involving Wolfe. There was a rumor that he had a secret relationship with Fritz, which was denied by both parties. There was also a rumor that he had died, which turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. And there was a rumor that he had cheated on his wife Jodi Faeth, whom he married in 2012 and divorced in 2020. The couple had one daughter, Charlie, who was born with a cleft lip and palate.
Wolfe has not addressed these rumors publicly, but he has tried to move on with his life and career. He has continued to host “American Pickers” with Colby, as well as other spin-off shows like “American Pickers: Best Of” and “American Pickers: Celebrity Edition”. He has also launched his own lifestyle brand called Two Lanes, which sells clothing, accessories, furniture, and decor inspired by his travels.
However, it seems that Wolfe has not been able to escape the shadow of his former partner and friend. Many fans still miss Fritz and hope for a reconciliation between the two. Some have even boycotted the show or stopped watching it altogether. Others have criticized Wolfe for being boring, arrogant, or fake. And some have questioned his credibility and authenticity as a picker, accusing him of staging or scripting some of his finds.
Authorship
Wolfe has written several books based on his passion for picking and preserving the past. His first book, American Pickers Guide to Picking, was published in 2011 and offers tips and tricks for finding and negotiating deals on antiques. His second book, Kid Pickers: How to Turn Junk into Treasure, was released in 2013 and encourages children to explore their own backyards and neighborhoods for potential treasures. His other book, Art of the Pick, was also published in 2013 and features stories and photographs from his personal collection of rare and unique items.
Net Worth
Mike Wolfe has an estimated net worth of $10 million as of 2023. His main source of income is his show American Pickers, which pays him $500,000 per season. He also earns a substantial amount of money from his antique business, Antique Archaeology, which has two locations in Le Claire, Iowa and Nashville, Tennessee. He sells a variety of items, including clothing, furniture, lighting, and collectibles. He also has his own clothing line called Two Lanes, which features American-made apparel and accessories.
In addition to his antique and clothing businesses, Mike Wolfe has also invested in real estate. He owns four mansions and 11 commercial properties across different states. His residential properties include a stunning 5,062 square-foot home on 28 acres of land in Franklin, Tennessee, a 1,834 square-foot house on 2.1 acres of land in the same area, a 1,422 square-foot vacation home with breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, and a 3,153 square-foot mansion with a detached garage in Franklin, Tennessee. His commercial properties include several buildings that he rents out to various businesses, such as The Shameless Chocoholic, One Twenty Nine Coffee & Spirits, and Columbia Motor Alley. He also uses one of his properties in Le Claire, Iowa for his store Antique Archaeology.
Personal Life
Marriage & Children
Behind Mike’s adventurous and successful career, there is also a personal story of love, loss and family. Mike Wolfe shared a love affair with Jodi Catherine Faeth and married her later. They dated for years and were happy to start their family even before marriage. They welcomed their first and only child together, Charlie Faeth Wolfe, on January 30, 2012. Jodi also had a son from a previous marriage, who Mike treated as his own. After the birth of the baby girl, Mike and Jodie decided to go through the ritual union. They celebrated their wedding on September 7, 2012, in Franklin, Tennessee attended by close friends and family.
Their marriage seemed to be happy and stable, as Mike often shared photos of his wife and daughter on social media and praised them for their support. However, things took a turn for the worse in 2020, when the couple decided to separate after nearly nine years of marriage.
Divorce
According to court documents obtained by People, Jodi filed for divorce in November 2020, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. She stated that they were “unable to successfully live together” as a married couple and that “all hopes of reconciliation are exhausted”.
The divorce was finalized on December 6, 2021, after the exes reached a settlement agreement that involved dividing their assets, properties and royalties from the show. Mike was ordered to pay Jodi over $6 million in alimony and royalties from American Pickers, as well as $2,100 a month in child support for their daughter Charli. Jodi was awarded their $2 million Nashville home and their North Carolina property, while Mike retained ownership of 13 other properties in Tennessee and Iowa, as well as his store Antique Archaeology Nashville and his production company Mossy Point Productions. Jodi also got primary custody of Charlie. Jodi did not ask to restore her maiden name after the divorce.
Current Relationship Status & Girlfriend
Even though Mike Wolfe has not remarried, he is not single either. He is currently in a relationship with a girlfriend name Leticia Cline. She is more than just a gorgeous model who has appeared in Playboy and Maxim. She is also an accomplished journalist and motorcycle racer who has explored the world on her bike. She is a heritage tourism preservationist who cares about protecting historic sites and cultures, a cancer survivor who has fought the illness with bravery and dignity. Leticia and Mike have been an item since early 2021, and have been seen enjoying each other’s company in various places, including Mike’s home state of Iowa. The pair has a lot in common, such as their love for motorcycles, antiques, and adventure, and they seem to have a strong and supportive bond.
Physical Traits
Mike Wolfe is a 6 feet man of medium build, with a rugged appearance that reflects his adventurous spirit. He has short brown hair, brown eyes, and a thick beard that gives him a distinctive look. He usually wears casual clothes, such as jeans, t-shirts, and leather jackets, that suit his profession as an antique picker. He also has several tattoos on his arms, which show his passion for history and culture. Mike Wolfe is a man who loves to explore the past and present, and his physical traits are a testament to that.
Personality Traits
Mike is a curious and creative person who enjoys learning about the history and stories behind the objects he picks. He has a keen eye for spotting hidden gems and potential value in seemingly junky items. He is also a skilled negotiator who knows how to strike a deal with the owners of the collections he visits. He respects the people he meets and their attachment to their belongings, and he always tries to be fair and honest in his transactions .
Mike is also charismatic and friendly who has a warm personality and a good sense of humor. He loves to share his passion and knowledge with others, whether it’s through his TV show, his books, his stores, or his social media platforms . He is also a generous and compassionate person who supports various causes and charities, such as animal welfare, veterans’ issues, historic preservation, and environmental protection.
Mike is a driven and ambitious person who has achieved remarkable success in his career. He is always looking for new opportunities and challenges to expand his horizons and reach new audiences.
Wiki/Bio Facts
| Full name | Mike Wolfe |
| Date of Birth | June 11, 1964 |
| Place of Birth | Joliet, Illinois, United States, |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Gender | Male |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Residence | Tennessee and Le Claire, Iowa |
| Famous For | Creator and star of the TV show American Pickers |
| Hobbies | Music, cycling, collecting vintage items |
| Businesses | Antique Archaeology, Rustorations, Two Lanes Guesthouse, Two Lanes by Mike Wolfe |
| Career | Television Personality, Antique Collector, Author, Producer, Entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Net worth | $10 Million (estimated) |
| Parents | Not Available |
| Wife | Jodi Faeth (m.2012-d.2021) |
| Kids | Charlie Faeth Wolfe |
| Siblings | Robbie Wolfe, Beth Wolfe |
| Height | 6 ft (1.83 m) |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Social Media handle |
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