American Pickers Star Mike Wolfe Mourns Mother Rita After Cancer Battle
Mike Wolfe, the renowned star of the History Channel's American Pickers, has shared a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Rita Wolfe, following her passing from cancer. The 61-year-old television personality confirmed the sad news in the late hours of Tuesday, revealing that his mother died in hospice care after a four-month battle with the illness, surrounded by her three children.
A Mother's Unwavering Support
In an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, Wolfe credited his mother with helping him launch his career in the world of picking. He fondly recalled how Rita was his number one supporter from the very beginning, sharing a touching anecdote that highlighted her encouragement.
'One of the things she did early on that was really amazing was giving me her garage,' Wolfe revealed, explaining that he had his own 'man cave' at just five years old. 'I had been putting all this stuff in the front yard, and it piled up in the front yard, so she comes home and goes, "I tell you what I'm going to give you the garage to put your stuff in."'
He added, 'She didn't park her car in the garage anymore. She gave it to me to put all my stuff in there and was encouraging me to bring things home still.' This early act of support laid the foundation for Wolfe's future success in the antiques and collectibles industry.
Shared Moments on American Pickers
Wolfe and his late co-star Frank Fritz brought American Pickers to television screens in 2010 after years of pitching the show to various networks. The programme, currently in its 27th season, originally featured the duo travelling across the United States to discover rare Americana artifacts and national treasures for their collections or resale.
Rita was not just a supportive mother from afar; she was actively involved behind the scenes of the show. 'She travelled with us sometimes when we were filming and came to New York with me when we did talk shows,' Wolfe remembered. 'It was very cool for us to share that kind of time together.'
Following the death of Fritz in September 2024, Wolfe has continued the series with the help of familiar faces, including his brother Robert Wolfe and Danielle Colby, making Rita's involvement even more poignant in retrospect.
A Bittersweet Timing
Rita's passing comes just weeks before the premiere of Wolfe's new History Channel series, History's Greatest Picks with Mike Wolfe. This upcoming eight-part programme delves into the stories, journeys, and monetary values behind legendary treasures, relics, and artifacts from history.
Fortunately, Wolfe was able to share glimpses of the show with his mother before her death. 'I showed her stuff on my phone, like the intro and a couple of different stories,' he said. 'She loved it. I mean, she watched what I had to go through to get the first show [American Pickers] on the air.'
An Emotional Farewell
Wolfe announced his mother's death in an emotional tribute posted on Instagram, expressing the profound grief he feels. 'Everything I have become in my life I owe to her,' he wrote. 'God I will miss her but I know she's in a better place. I love you to the moon and back Mama. I will look for those little moments when you still find ways guide us.'
He described how the 'pain and sorrow comes in waves' and that 'sometimes it all still doesn't feel real,' capturing the raw emotion of losing a beloved parent. Rita's legacy lives on through her son's successful career and the cherished memories they built together, both on and off the screen.
