Mike Wolfe – Biography and Net Worth

Who is Mike Wolfe (Biography)

Mike Wolfe is a “professional scavenger,” treasure hunter and television personality whose claim to fame is hosting the reality show American Pickers along with Frank Fritz and Danielle Colby. They travel across the United States to acquire various items of interest which may be junk to others. They get them for resale or for their personal collections. As Wolfe says in a spiel on the show:

“We’re looking for amazing things buried in people’s garages and barns. What most people see as junk, we see as dollar signs. We’ll buy “anything” we think we can make a buck on. Each item we pick has a history all its own. And the people we meet? Well, they’re a breed all their own. We make a living telling the history of America…one piece at a time.”

Wolfe was born on June 11, 1964 at Joliet, Illinois. He is the second of three children raised by a single mother. Mike started scavenging at the age of six, starting out by pulling old bicycles out of his neighbor’s junk pile and trash in Bettendorf, Iowa. Since then, he has built a reputation for being a “professional scavenger” for almost 20 years. In the beginning, Mike has kept a low profile conducting his business. This went on until January of 2010, when “American Pickers” made its debut; and the rest is history.

Wolfe is married to Jodi Faeth and they have a daughter named Charlie. He divides his time between his homes in Le Claire, Iowa and Leiper’s Fork, Tennessee.

Net Worth

For a “professional scavenger,” Mike Wolfe’s net worth is estimated around $5 million in 2018. He has made a lot of money since appearing on American Pickers. He rakes in a salary amounting to $500,000 every season.  But this is not his only source of income. Wolfe has received many endorsement deals, such as one for Indian Motorcycle given his passion for motorcycles. He has earned a princely sum for each one. He also wrote and published three books which have become best-sellers.

Wolfe has since created a business empire stemming from the show, consisting of numerous side businesses. There is Rustorations which is a collection of lighting of all kinds. They are available at Nashville’s Antique Archaeology Store. There is also Kid Pickers which as its name suggests provides children an online forum where they are encouraged to share their own picks like Wolfe has when he was their age.

He is also into music since he is a longtime music lover, particularly old school country. He has co-produced an album called Music to Pick By which is a mix of picking-compatible tunes in collaboration with legendary Nashville producer Brian Ahern. The record will feature three new songs composed and recorded by Wolfe and country singer/songwriter Dale Watson.

He also does philanthropy work by hosting events and encourages fund raising projects that benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Operation Smile, the ASCPA, and animal shelters.