Inside American Pickers’ Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe’s Decades-Long Friendship

Over the course of 26 seasons, Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe captivated American audiences as they traveled around the country in search of rare artifacts.

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Wolfe announced in a statement shared on Instagram that Fritz died on Sept. 30, two years after he suffered a stroke. Calling him a “dreamer who was just as sensitive as he was funny,” Wolfe revealed that he was by his former co-host’s side when he died.

While their friendship has long warmed the hearts of fans, their relationship had its highs and lows. At one point, Wolfe revealed that the two hadn’t spoken in two years amid a rift.

Here is a look inside Fritz and Wolfe’s friendship of over two decades and how they mended their once-fractured bond.

July 2021: Fritz Reveals Rift with Wolfe and Exits American Pickers

Fritz opened up about his strained relationship with Wolfe for the first time during an interview with The Sun.

“I haven’t talked to Mike in two years,” he told the outlet and at the time, a rep for The History Channel confirmed his exit to PEOPLE. “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.”

Fritz also admitted that he felt he took “second” place on American Pickers while Wolfe was “number one.”

“The show is tilted towards him 1,000 percent. I can’t even bend that far down to show you how much,” Fritz claimed, adding that he felt like he was a “common man” more people could relate to. “That’s fine. It’s like you’ve got Aerosmith and there’s Steven Tyler and he’s the frontman. I found my spot, I’m second and he’s number one on the show. That’s no problem with me, maybe he does have a problem.”

In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Wolfe responded to Fritz’s exit and said he would miss his former co-host.

“I have known Frank for as long as I can remember, he’s been like a brother to me,” his statement said. “The journey that Frank, Dani (Danielle) and I started back in 2009, like all of life, has come with its highs and lows, blessings and challenges, but it has also been the most rewarding. I will miss Frank, just like all of you, and I pray for the very best and all good things for him on the next part of his journey.”

August 2021: American Pickers Costar Danielle Colby Speaks Out About Rift

Shortly after Fritz’s big reveal, Colby broke her silence on the matter with a statement shared to her Instagram.

“Out on the road again with my best friend and my big brother whose I support fully and stand behind,” she captioned an Instagram selfie of her and Wolfe. “Thank you for the last decade of advocacy towards myself and others on set. I’m proud of how you have handled the last 12 years and look forward to many more years of rolling around this big blue marble together.”

Colby added that she was “truly saddened” by Fritz’s departure from American Pickers and “incredibly sad for his struggles.”

“I have personally watched everything over the last decade. I have many thoughts but won’t speak them as they are only my thoughts, not gospel,” she continued, “I wish things could have been different but we must be accountable for our actions when we cause instability or pain and suffering to others. Frank caused so much pain for himself that it has been hard to watch. I truly hope Frank receives all the help he needs to become well after years of being unwell.”

Colby said she chose to speak out because her feelings had been speculated upon and “taken out of context” previously.

“Here’s exactly how I feel,” she concluded. “I hope everybody gets well. I hope everybody continues to love each other even through the hard s—.”

July 2022: Wolfe Reveals Fritz Suffered a Stroke

One year after Fritz publicly opened up about their fallout, Wolfe revealed that his former costar had been hospitalized after suffering a stroke.

In an Instagram post, Wolfe, wrote alongside a photo of Fritz smiling: “I have been very private in the past year in regards to Frank’s life and the journey he’s been on. There has been lots of opinions in regards to mine and Frank’s friendship and the show but now is not the time to set the record straight. Now is the time to pray for my friend.”

“Frank has suffered a stroke and is in the hospital. Please keep him in your hearts and thoughts,” he continued.

Ending with a sentimental message for Fritz, Wolfe wrote, “Frank I pray more than anything that you make it through this okay. I love you buddy.”

2022: Wolfe Says Fritz Needs Time to Heal

A few days after he revealed Fritz had a stroke, a rep for Wolfe told PEOPLE that he hopes fans will respect the privacy of his former co-host while he recovers from a recent stroke.

“We asked that everyone keeps Frank and their thoughts and prayers,” the rep said. “The most important thing is that we allow him time to heal and giving [sic] him the space to do so.”

October 2024: Wolfe Confirms Fritz’s Death

On Tuesday, Oct. 1, Wolfe revealed in a post shared on Instagram that Fritz died on Sept. 30.

“It’s with a broken heart that I share with all of you that Frank passed away last night,” Wolfe began his tribute. “I’ve know Frank for more then 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. The same off camera as he was on, Frank had a way of reaching the hearts of so many by just being himself.”

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Who would have ever dreamed we would share the cockpit of a white cargo van in front of millions of people interested in our adventures,” he continued. “Before the show we would take off together to places we never knew existed with no destination in mind and just the shared passion to discover something interesting and historic.”

“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. I love you buddy and will miss you so much I know your [sic] in a better place,” Wolfe concluded.