Who is the man who turns dusty barns into treasure on TV? This Mike Wolfe biography tells you his age, family, career, money, and the latest news, all in plain words.
Who Is Mike Wolfe and Why It Matters
Mike Wolfe is an American TV star, antique hunter, and businessman. He is best known as the creator and lead face of American Pickers, a History Channel show that follows pickers as they travel the country and search old barns, garages, and sheds for rare items.
Think of a picker like a fisherman who knows which pond hides the best fish. Mike knows where old things sleep, and he knows what they are worth. That skill turned a love for rusty bikes into a TV career that has lasted since 2010.
People care about his story because it feels real. He did not start in a studio. He started by pulling junk from the trash and seeing value where others saw none.
So what makes him different from other TV hosts? He treats every old sign, bike, and tool like a small piece of history. When a seller tells a story about an item, he listens, and that is why people enjoy watching him work.
Current Status as of October 17, 2026
Mike Wolfe is still working and still in the news. Here is an honest update based on public reports.
Important Dates
| Date | What Happened |
|---|---|
| April 26, 2025 | His Nashville store, Antique Archaeology, had its final closing day after 15 years. |
| September 2025 | He and his girlfriend were in a car crash in Columbia, Tennessee. He said they were both safe. |
| December 2025 | His co-star Danielle Colby said the show was done. He and the network said that was not true. |
| February 2026 | His new History Channel series, History’s Greatest Picks With Mike Wolfe, began. |
Why is he trending? Fans keep searching for him because of the new show, the closed store, the loss of his friend Frank Fritz, and questions about his health after the crash. In February 2026 he said American Pickers is not over and that more episodes were coming.
Good to know: The new show is not about his own finds. Each episode shares eight stories about great finds made by other pickers, with old footage and a little reenactment.
I did not find any major personal news after early 2026 from trusted outlets. If something new appears, check the sources linked in this article.
What comes next? Mike has hinted that he wants to keep telling picking stories in new ways. The Nashville store is closed, but when he shared the news he wrote that it was not goodbye, only a new rhythm. That line tells us he is moving forward, not stepping away.
What to Know About Mike Wolfe
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mike Wolfe |
| Born | November 6, 1964 |
| Birthplace | Joliet, Illinois, USA |
| Known For | American Pickers |
| Mother | Rita Wolfe |
| Siblings | Beth and Robbie |
| Daughter | Charlie |
Early Life and Family Background
Mike was born in Joliet, Illinois. When he was young, his family moved to Bettendorf, Iowa. He grew up with two siblings, Beth and Robbie, and his mother raised them.
He began picking as a small boy. His first treasure hunts were simple. He took old bikes out of a neighbor’s trash, fixed them up, and learned that old things can be worth real money. That early habit shaped his whole life.
Picture a kid riding past garbage cans and spotting a bike frame that others ignore. That kid grew up to do the same thing on a bigger stage. His mother and siblings were part of that world, and his brother Robbie later joined him on screen.
Career
Mike spent more than ten years picking before TV found him. He bought from farms and barns, then sold the items, and he opened shops to sell what he found. His brand became Antique Archaeology.
American Pickers began on the History Channel in 2010. Its first episode drew about 3.1 million viewers, a big start for the network. The show ran for 27 seasons and made picking a household word.
For years Mike worked side by side with his childhood friend Frank Fritz. In July 2021, History said Frank was leaving the show. Frank died in 2024 at age 60 from stroke complications. Mike has said there would be no American Pickers without him.
His brother Robbie Wolfe and Danielle Colby also appeared on the show. In 2026, Mike added a new series, History’s Greatest Picks.
In April 2025 he closed the Nashville Antique Archaeology store after 15 years. He called it a new chapter and not a goodbye. Fans were sad, since the shop was a place where people could see items from the show up close.
Age
Mike was born on November 6, 1964. As of October 17, 2026, he is 61 years old. He will turn 62 on November 6, 2026.
Heads up: A few websites list his birthday as June 11. Recent news reports gave his age as 61 in early 2026, which matches a November birthday, so this article uses November 6.
Religion
Mike has not publicly shared his religion in any detail. After the crash he wrote that they were safe “by the grace of God.” That is a kind thank you, but one post does not tell us his faith. We will not guess.
Wife, Girlfriend and Daughter
Mike married Jodi Faeth. Most sources say the wedding was in 2012, though a few list a different year. They later separated in June 2020. They share a daughter named Charlie.
In 2025, news reports named his girlfriend as Leticia Cline. She was with him during the September car crash, and both were hurt but recovering.
Net Worth
Nobody outside his circle knows the exact number. One well known tracker puts his net worth at about 7 million dollars. Other sites guess higher. Treat every number as an estimate.
His money has come from the TV show, his shops, his producer role, and the items he buys and sells. Think of it like a garage sale that grew into a business.
Fame also brings book, brand, and appearance chances, though we do not have public numbers for those. So when you see a big figure online, ask where it came from. A guess that is repeated many times can start to look like a fact.
Parents
His mother is Rita Wolfe, who raised Mike, Beth, and Robbie. Public reports do not name his father, and we will not guess. Mike has shown deep love for his family and for the values his mother taught him.
Height
One biography site lists Mike at about 6 feet tall. He has not confirmed this himself, so please treat it as a rough figure.
Education
Mike went to Sudlow Intermediate School in Bettendorf, Iowa, where he met Frank Fritz. He then graduated from Bettendorf High School in 1982. He did not follow a long college path. He learned his trade by doing it, one barn at a time.
State of Origin
Mike was born in Illinois and raised mostly in Iowa. Tennessee has been his base for his business life, with his Nashville store open for 15 years. So he is an Illinois native with Iowa roots and a Tennessee home base.
Social Media Links
You can follow Mike here:
- Instagram: Mike Wolfe on Instagram
- American Pickers on Instagram: @americanpickers
Tip: His own posts are the best place for real news, since he shares updates there first.
FAQ
Who is Mike Wolfe?
Mike Wolfe is an American TV personality and antique picker. He created and stars in American Pickers on the History Channel.
How old is Mike Wolfe?
Mike Wolfe is 61 years old as of October 17, 2026. He was born on November 6, 1964, in Joliet, Illinois.
Is Mike Wolfe married?
He married Jodi Faeth and they separated in June 2020. Reports in 2025 named Leticia Cline as his girlfriend.
What is Mike Wolfe’s net worth?
One popular estimate is about 7 million dollars. No official figure exists, and other sites list different amounts.
Is American Pickers cancelled?
No. In February 2026 Mike said the show was not done, and a History Channel representative said the cancellation claim had no truth.
Is Mike Wolfe okay after his car crash?
Yes, as far as public reports show. In September 2025 he said he and his girlfriend were safe, and he has kept working on new TV projects since then.
Final Word
Mike Wolfe’s story proves that a small habit can grow into something big. A boy who saved old bikes from the trash became a household name, and he is still telling stories about found treasure today.
We will update this page when trusted news changes. For now, you know his age, family, work, and where to follow him.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Details such as net worth, height, and marriage dates come from public reports and may differ between sources. They may also change over time. This page is not an official statement from Mike Wolfe or the History Channel.
