Sometimes life takes us on unexpected journeys. Frank Fritz was going through a lot personally, despite being a well-known television fixture.

This is his tragic story…

Diann Bankson was Frank Fritz’s longtime partner. His turbulent divorce led to alcoholism, unemployment, and health risks. Even though they are no longer together, their time together left an indelible mark on them.

Frank Fritz, the host of “American Pickers,” was 25 years old when he first met Diann Bankson. The couple dated intermittently before getting engaged in 2017. In 2018, they bought an Iowa farmhouse and moved in together a year later.

Their relationship soured in November of that year, when Bankson claimed to have “walked in” on Fritz and “found him in bed with another woman.”

“I was going to get married; I bought a house and a large, expensive ring,” Fritz said after learning that his fiancee had been seeing someone else for the previous 2.5 years.

Fritz stated, “She is the cheater, which is why I got a tattoo saying, “Once a cheater, always a cheater,” as a reminder not to repeat “the same mistake.” He went on to say that Bankson had “cost” him a lot of money.

He began drinking to help heal his broken heart. He claimed that was how he dealt with his breakup. As a result of this, he lost a lot of weight. “I gave it my best shot,” Fritz admitted. “I tried to drown myself in booze.”

Because his previous relationship with Bankson had “stung badly enough,” he decided to put off dating for a while while he worked on quitting drinking.

He also suffered losses at work following the divorce. According to the Sun, he no longer hosted “American Pickers” on the History Channel after March 2020.

Fritz claimed that his absence was due to health issues and that he intended to return to the show once the effects of his back surgery had healed. Fritz expressed his desire to re-watch the show. I’m ready to return to the program now that I’ve fully recovered.

Fritz claimed that the show had made no definitive decision about his return. However, he said that a showrunner had contacted him and promised to bring him back.

Even though Fritz has been a part of the show for ten years, there are “no plans” for him to return as a host, according to TMZ.

In addition to declining to return to his show, his ex-lover Bankson revealed her new man, an engineering administration manager named Eric Longlett. In a social media post about him, she gushed about how lucky she was to be with him.

“He took me to witness Elton John’s Yellow Brick Road Farewell Tour,” she captioned a photo of herself with Longleat at the concert. “I’m a lucky girl. I love you, babe oxo.”

Fritz was admitted to the hospital on July 4, 2022, after a stroke. He was discovered on the floor of his house by a friend, who then dialed for help. The 911 call, on which his companion stated, “he might be having a seizure, I’m not sure,” was obtained by The US Sun.

Fritz’s father, Bill Fritz, told reporters that his son was doing well and improving every day.

However, his rehabilitation did not go as well as the doctors had hoped. He was placed under guardianship and sent to a nursing home after being discharged from the hospital.

On August 18, 2022, his “longtime friend” requested and received approval for an emergency appointment for temporary guardianship and conservatorship on his behalf, according to rumors.

His acquaintance was appointed as his guardian, and the bank managed his finances as his conservator.

As his conservator, the bank would be responsible for all payments to his care facility, including daily costs, health insurance, maintenance, and property taxes. He would require appropriate transportation for activities and doctor’s appointments, which the bank must ensure.

His friend had to submit an “initial care plan” for him to be his guardian, and he has participated “in decision-making since the stroke.”

To accomplish this, his guardian must make decisions about his living situation, place of residence, health, and healthcare needs; encourage participation in any activities; and maintain communication with family members and potential romantic interests. As his guardian, he would also be required to provide a yearly report.

According to his paperwork, his condition was deteriorating, and he could not make self-adequate decisions “without which physical injury or sickness may result.”

Documents revealed that he was in far worse shape than previously thought, and that he could not “make, communicate, or carry out important decisions about his financial affairs.”

His guardian must make decisions for him until he is well enough to “get treatment for his injuries” and capable of doing so.

The court determined Fritz requires a guardian to protect his health in the future. The court ruled that “appointment of a guardian and conservator is required to prevent him from suffering immediate harm.”

This story is truly heartbreaking. We send our best wishes for Frank Fritz’s health and recovery.

Share this with your friends and family so they can find out what happened to their favorite TV show’s host and pray for his recovery.