Fans are devastated at the news that Frank Fritz, the antiques expert who gained fame on the reality series American Pickers, has died at 60.
Fritz, who left the series in 2021, had been suffering from health problems and was hospitalized from a stroke two years ago.
The news was announced by Fritz’s friend and co-star Mike Wolfe, who said that Fritz passed away last night.
“I’ve know Frank for more [than] half my life and what you’ve seen on TV has always been what I have seen, a dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny,” Wolfe wrote in a social media tribute. “The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”
Fritz and Wolfe gained fame as the hosts of the reality TV series American Pickers, which premiered on the History Channel in 2010. The series showed the two “pickers” traveling across the USA, searching for valuable antiques and collectibles in unexpected places.
“We’re looking for amazing things buried in people’s garages and barns,” the show’s opening narration explains. “What most people see as junk, we see as dollar signs. We’ll buy anything we think we can make a buck on.”
“We make a living telling the history of America… one piece at a time.”
The series attracted millions of viewers, becoming one of History Channel’s most popular programs. In its debut year it was the #1 non-fiction series among total viewers and adults 25-54.
While the antiques were often interesting, there’s no doubt it was the chemistry and charisma of the two hosts that kept viewers coming back for more.
In 2021, it was announced that Fritz would be leaving American Pickers after a decade on the hit series. Fritz said the decision was not his own, and that he was pushed out by the network after a back surgery.
“I didn’t leave the show,” he told The Sun at the time. “I finished shooting and then I had a little back surgery and the pandemic came.”
He also suggested that his co-host’s ego was a factor, saying the show had “tilted towards him 1,000 percent.” “I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” Fritz said. “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.”
In July 2022, Fritz was hospitalized from a stroke. In 2023, he had a tearful reunion with Mike Wolfe, and the two resolved their purported feud. However, Fritz declined an offer to rejoin American Pickers, deciding to focus on his health.
It’s clear that the two former co-hosts have remained friendly since then, and it seems Wolfe was by his side til the end.
“We’ve been on countless trips and shared so many miles and I feel blessed that I was there by his side when he took one last journey home,” Wolfe wrote on Instagram. “I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know [you’re] in a better place.”
American Pickers remains a staple of the History Channel lineup. Fritz has never officially been replaced as co-host, though series regulars like Danielle Colby, Mike Wolfe’s brother Robbie, and friend and antiques expert “Jersey Jon” Szalay will rotate accompanying Wolfe on his antiquing trips.
Colby also shared her own tribute to Fritz on social media. “Frank, I will miss your ability to make everyone laugh, your love for talking tattoos, your epic collections but what I will miss the most are those little glimpses of vulnerability from time to time,” she wrote.
“Frank, you loved your cat and your momma and we bonded on those things. You will be missed for all of these reasons and so many more.
Rest in Peace Road Dog.”
Rest in peace to the iconic reality TV star Frank Fritz 
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Mom Proudly Breastfeeds in Public and Claps Back at Critics
Mothers can nourish their newborns naturally and beautifully by breastfeeding. In addition to giving vital nutrients, it fosters a solid emotional tie between a mother and her kid. Unfortunately, breastfeeding in public has become a contentious issue, upsetting or even unsettling some people.
One mother, Trinati, made the decision to speak out and posted an impactful photo of herself nursing her child inside a Costco. After becoming viral, the public reacted to this photo with love and condemnation.
Instagram user Trinati, who has over 7,000 followers, shared the image in 2017 to highlight the extent moms will go to in order to make sure their kids are taken care of, no matter what. She clarified that she wants to normalize nursing in public and that she never hesitates to do so. She’ll have to put up with odd looks and awkward laughs, but she’s determined to support her child wherever they go.
Even Trinati’s family members have been known to tease her about her protracted breastfeeding journey, despite the criticism she faces from outsiders. She is determined to breastfeed her infant for as long as she needs, though, and she is unconcerned. Trinati rejects the notion that nursing in public is improper or sexual and tries to eradicate the stigma associated with it. She humorously notes that her breasts are more like udders than anything else, so they’re definitely not objects of desire.
Trinati is certain that her child’s needs come before any attempts to make her feel ashamed. She becomes a part of the community of moms who, by sharing their own heroic breastfeeding stories, challenge social standards and offer encouragement to one another.
There are several advantages to breastfeeding for both mother and child. The CDC states that it can lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, ovarian and breast cancer, among other diseases. Numerous celebrities have also shown support for nursing mothers, including as Chrissy Teigen, Olivia Munn, Ronda Rousey, and Vanessa Morgan.
For mothers everywhere, the debate about breastfeeding in public is draining. Without condemnation or criticism, they need to be able to feed their kids in the way that suits them the best. It’s time to honor and promote the lovely act of nursing, as well as to stand with mothers like Trinati who take great pride in providing their kids with comfort and nourishment.
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