'American Pickers' Frank Fritz Lives in Modest Home under Guardianship after He & Ex-fiancée Sold Their House

• Frank Fritz, an "American Pickers" star, endured difficulties after starting a new life in his humble farmhouse under guardianship after a debilitating stroke.

• Fritz "was going to get married" before sorrow came into his house.

• He and his ex-fiancee lived in a cozy house twice as expensive as his current home.

Frank Fritz's life has no longer been the same since he and his former fiancee parted ways. He has since lost his TV hosting gig and is now ill.

"American Pickers" star Frank Fritz lives a challenging new life under conservatorship following a debilitating stroke. Per The Sun, Fritz suffered a stroke on July 14, 2022, and got hospitalized. He was then released to a nursing facility.

Fritz's "longtime friend" filed an emergency appointment to be his temporary guardian and conservator on August 18, 2022, which an Iowa court approved.

While Fritz's pal was appointed as his guardian, a bank was chosen as a conservator to oversee his finances. The financial institution is responsible for paying for the TV host's care in the residential facility and his daily expenses.

The conservator also ensures federal and state income tax compliance and distributes funds for clothing and haircare. In addition, the bank also makes sure that Fritz's check account does not exceed $2,000, as he is allowed to write checks independently of the conservator.

Meanwhile, his friend assists him in making decisions since he suffered a stroke and is required to file an "initial care plan." It includes living arrangements, his current residence, health care status, health needs, social activities, and communication between his family and love interests.

The guardian is also required to file an annual report. After Fritz's release from the hospital following a month's stay, documents stated that the stroke left him debilitated.

As a result, he became incapable of making decisions that involved his "safety" and "necessities or medical care without which physical or illness may occur."

The Iowa native's condition is so severe that he cannot make informed decisions concerning his finances. An exhibit from a doctor mentioned in the court papers states that he "does not have decisional capacity." The legal document further revealed that it is necessary to make decisions on Fritz's behalf as "he continues to recover."

Fritz owns a farmhouse in Iowa that he purchased for $155,000 in May 2010. The property boasts a barn, a shed, and a warehouse that stores his motorcycle collection.

The two-bedroom and the one-bathroom farmhouse is 1660-square-foot and sits on .79 acres of land. It has three garages and a basement.

According to the Scott County Assessor's Office, Fritz remodeled the abode when he bought it. In 2013, he bought the adjoining property at the asking price of $25,000, which is .34 acres of land.

In 2015, the TV show star built a 3,240-square-foot warehouse on the property, which comprises 90 of his classic motorcycles, among other things he bought over the years.

In November 2021, The Sun reported that Fritz was behind on property taxes for his home after being fired from the reality show, "American Pickers."

The star had taken a break from filming after suffering a back injury and went to recover. Since then, he was reported to be owing $1,752, including interest on the house. The said taxes were due on September 1, 2021.

Per the outlet, Fritz also owes the second half of the yearly payment of $1,701, which was due on March 1, 2022. In addition to that, he also had to pay $818 due on March 1, 2022.

Fritz appeared alongside his friend Mike Wolfe on "American Pickers," but since his life has taken a hard knock, the friendship has also suffered. Fritz spoke candidly about the fragile relationship with his co-star in an interview with The Sun in 2021 after they had a fallout.

He revealed they had not spoken in "two years," adding Wolfe was aware that he had suffered a back injury but had not reached out to him since to check up on him.

Wolfe did not even contact Fritz when he celebrated his 57th birthday on October 11, 2022, including his other co-hosts, Danielle Colby, and Wolfe's brother, Robbie, who replaced him on the reality show.

READ: Fans Slam 'American Pickers's' Mike Wolfe for 'Kicking' Frank Fritz 'While He's Down' as He Heals after Stroke

MORE: Does Frank Fritz Have a Wife? Inside 'American Pickers' Star's Relationship with Diann

However, when Fritz suffered a stroke, Wolfe expressed his concern at the time, sharing that he decided to be "private" about what was happening to him "and the journey he's been on."

He penned on social media that Fritz had "suffered a stroke" and had been hospitalized while asking fans to "keep him in your hearts and thoughts." Wolfe concluded his post by saying he hoped and prayed that Fritz would recover, adding, "I love you, buddy."

Fritz's Nasty Split with His Ex-fiancee Who Has Moved On

Fritz also had another relationship destroyed. He had been dating Diann Bankson, whom he proposed to in 2017. The former couple lived together at their farmhouse but later split, and their breakup became messy.

Bankson claimed in a lawsuit she filed against Fritz in January 2020 regarding negligence that she found him cheating on her at their once-shared home. However, she dismissed the case in March of that year.

The two later mended their relationship, and Bankson claimed the negligence incident occurred at the farmhouse when Fritz and his pal set off fireworks. She claimed the men were drunk when she entered the house while they lit fireworks.

In the court papers, Bankson explained that Fritz and the said friend failed to light up the firework and placed it on an ashtray. They tried lighting it up again but could not do it and decided to leave it on the ashtray, which was covered, instead of getting rid of it entirely.

Bankson also claimed Fritz did not tell her about the mentioned ashtray, and she used it while smoking a cigarette. To her surprise, the ashtray blew off, leaving her with severe burns on her "hand and arm with third-degree burns and burnt off eyelashes and eyebrows."

After the incident, Fritz reportedly "refused" to transport Bankson to a medical facility and instead made remarks stating that she should suck it up. Bankson only went to the hospital days later and received treatment for "third-degree burns."

When she and Fritz called it quits for the second time, Bankson claimed he changed the locks of their house. Subsequently, she demanded $50,000, claiming Fritz was "negligent" by lighting fireworks indoors.

Consequently, Banks endured pain and suffering; both emotionally and mentally, and was left with big medical bills among other things. Notably, she dismissed the lawsuit on March 19, 2020.

READ: 'American Pickers' Star Frank Fritz Suffered a Stroke a Few Months after His Ex Moved on with New Man

MORE: 'American Pickers' Frank Fritz Ends up under Guardianship — His Woes Started after Ruined Engagement

Meanwhile, Fritz defended himself against claims of infidelity during an interview with The Sun and insisted that Bankson was the one who was unfaithful in their relationship. He said he wanted to marry her and even purchased a home for them and a "big expensive ring," only for Bankson to cheat on him:

"I find out my fiancee had been dating somebody else for two and a half years."

"She's the cheater," said Fritz, who shared it was the reason why he got a tattoo that read: "Once a cheater, always a cheater." He explained that he got inked "two years" prior as a reminder to avoid repeating "the same mistake again," adding Bankson cost him a lot of money, "six figures," to be precise.

Fritz continued to explain that Bankson had been unfaithful to him "longer than" he had been to her. He admitted to having a woman over at their house, "but that's all it was," he added. Fritz said Bankson exaggerated when she claimed she caught him in bed with someone else, emphasizing that "nothing" happened.

Bankson has since moved on with another man after dating Fritz on and off for years. The Sun revealed that she was now dating Eric Longlett, an Iowa resident.

She debuted her new boyfriend on Facebook in February 2022 when the couple attended a family graduation. A month later, Bankson praised Longlett for planning the "best birthday weekend" and taking her to Elton John's road tour.

The pair went on a trip to Savannah, Illinois, after that. Before Bankson and Fritz split, they purchased their Iowa farmhouse together.

Fritz & Bankson Lived in a Cozy House Together

Per The Sun, the former couple bought the house in March 2018 for $355,000 via Iowa property records. However, when Fritz and Bankson broke up, they listed the abode on the market in August 2019 for $379,000.

Bankson took her name off the title deed in March 2020, and Fritz re-listed the home for $389,000 that same month. After several price drops, Fritz sold the abode for $358,000 in January 2021.

The 2,780-square-foot home has three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The house comprises an open floor plan with wooden floors and carpets in the bedrooms.

The kitchen has black and white granite countertops, white cabinets, and a gray tile backsplash. The space also features stainless steel appliances, a kitchen island with seating, and a dining area. The primary bedroom has a walk-in closet, his and hers vanities, and a jetted tub.

The lower level of the home boasts a recreation room, storage space, and a third bedroom with a full bath. There is also a three-car garage and a fireplace. According to the Realtor, the abode "has lots of natural lighting with high-end Pella windows."