Dark Clouds Gather for American Pickers Star Frank Fritz

Life can often lead us down unexpected paths, and for Frank Fritz, a familiar face on television, it was no different. Behind the scenes, he was grappling with personal challenges.

His longtime partner, Diann Bankson, played a significant role in his life. Frank’s difficult divorce took a toll on him, leading to struggles with alcoholism, job loss, and health issues. Although they have since parted ways, the time they spent together left a lasting impact on both of them.

Frank Fritz, known as the host of “American Pickers,” first crossed paths with Diann Bankson when he was just 25. Their relationship had its ups and downs before they decided to get engaged in 2017. The following year, they took a big step together, purchasing an Iowa farmhouse and making it their shared home.

Their relationship took a sour turn in November of that year, when Bankson claimed to have walked in on Fritz with another woman in bed.

In a conversation, Fritz shared that he felt betrayed by Bankson, even going as far as getting a tattoo to remind himself of the pain. Despite this, he still wanted to marry her. He had already invested in a house and an expensive ring, only to learn that she had been seeing someone else for the past 2.5 years.

Fritz emphasized, “She is the one who cheated, which is why I got a tattoo that says, ‘Once a cheater, always a cheater,’ as a reminder not to make the same mistake again.” He went on to mention that Bankson’s actions had come at a significant financial cost.

Turning to alcohol as a way to cope with his heartbreak, Fritz admitted it was his way of dealing with the breakup. Unfortunately, it took a toll on his health, causing him to lose a significant amount of weight. “I gave it my best shot,” Fritz confessed. “I tried to drown her in booze.”

Given the painful experience with Bankson, Fritz decided to take a break from dating while he focused on overcoming his drinking problem.

Work-wise, Fritz faced setbacks after the divorce. According to reports, he would no longer be hosting “American Pickers” on the History Channel after March 2020.

It’s worth noting that Christopher Reeve’s son had to endure the loss of both his parents by the age of 13, and a 7-year-old girl found herself paralyzed after a teenager accidentally fell on her from a height of 30 feet at Loretta Lynn’s campground. In another update, Tim Curry’s family chose to keep his stroke private, and the actor, now 76, continues to pursue his acting career.

Fritz explained that his absence was due to health issues stemming from back surgery, but he expressed eagerness to return to the show once he had fully recovered. He looked forward to being back on the program now that he was in better shape.

While Fritz claimed that no final decision had been made about his return, he mentioned that a showrunner had assured him they would bring him back.

Despite Fritz’s decade-long involvement with the show, TMZ reported that there were no concrete plans for him to return as a host.

In the midst of all this, Fritz’s ex-partner, Bankson, introduced her new beau, Eric Longlett, an engineering administration manager. She shared her admiration for him in a social media post, expressing how fortunate she felt to be with him.

“He took me to experience Elton John’s Yellow Brick Road Farewell Tour,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself and Longlett at the concert. “I’m a lucky girl. I adore you, babe oxo.”

On July 4, 2022, Fritz suffered a stroke and was admitted to the hospital. A friend found him on the floor of his house and called for help. The 911 call captured his companion expressing uncertainty about the situation, saying, “he might be having a seizure, I’m not sure,” as reported by The US Sun.

Fritz’s father, Bill Fritz, reassured reporters that his son was on the path to recovery and showing improvement each day.

Despite initial hopes for a smooth rehabilitation, Fritz’s progress fell short of expectations. He was placed under guardianship and subsequently moved to a nursing home following his discharge from the hospital.

By August 18, 2022, a “longtime friend” of Fritz sought and obtained emergency approval for temporary guardianship and conservatorship on his behalf, according to rumors.

This acquaintance was appointed as Fritz’s guardian, while the bank was tasked with managing his financial affairs as his conservator.

In their role as conservator, the bank would handle all payments related to Fritz’s care facility, covering expenses like daily costs, health insurance, upkeep, and property taxes. They would also ensure he had appropriate transportation for activities and medical appointments.

In order to assume guardianship, Fritz’s friend had to submit an initial care plan for his well-being and has been actively involved in decision-making since the stroke.

As Fritz’s guardian, they would make determinations about his living situation, place of residence, health, and healthcare needs. They would also facilitate his participation in activities, maintain open communication with family members and potential romantic interests, and provide an annual report on his status.

According to official documents, Frank Fritz’s condition had worsened to the point where he was no longer able to make important decisions for himself, and there was a risk of physical harm or illness as a result.

The paperwork also indicated that his ability to manage his own financial matters had been severely compromised, revealing a more dire situation than initially understood.

Until Frank is in a state to seek treatment for his injuries and able to make decisions for himself, his appointed guardian will be responsible for making choices on his behalf.

The court determined that it’s crucial for Frank to have a guardian in place to safeguard his well-being moving forward. They ruled that the appointment of both a guardian and conservator is necessary to prevent immediate harm.

This update on Frank Fritz’s situation is undeniably heart-wrenching. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to him for a swift recovery.

Please share this information with your friends and family so they can stay informed about the beloved TV show host’s condition and join us in sending their prayers and support for his recovery.