What Happened to Jodi Faeth? The True Story of Mike Wolfe’s Ex-Wife

Jodi Faeth lived a quiet life for many years, far away from cameras and fame. But everything changed when she became the wife of Mike Wolfe, the star of American Pickers. While Mike traveled across the country looking for old treasures, Jodi stayed home, taking care of their daughter and holding the family together.

But after nearly three decades of being together, their marriage suddenly ended. And after the divorce, many people started asking — what happened to Jodi Faeth? Why did she disappear from the spotlight? What was her life really like behind the scenes?

In this article, we’ll tell her full story — from how she met Mike Wolfe to the struggles she faced with her health, motherhood, and marriage. This is the quiet but powerful journey of Jodi Faeth.

Jodi Faeth Quick Bio

Jodi Faeth’s Early Life and Quiet Beginnings

Jodi Faeth was born on November 2, 1971, in Le Claire, Iowa. She grew up in a normal, small-town environment. Her parents were David Collier Faeth and Carol Faeth, and they lived in Eldridge, Iowa.

Jodi always lived a very private and peaceful life. She didn’t like being in the spotlight and kept her personal matters away from the public. She finished high school in the mid-1980s and later earned a college degree in accounting. She worked hard, stayed humble, and focused on building a stable future.

Long before cameras followed her husband’s antique hunts, Jodi was just a quiet woman who loved family, nature, and living a healthy lifestyle.

How Jodi Faeth Met Mike Wolfe

Jodi met Mike Wolfe in 1994. At the time, he wasn’t famous. He was just a guy with a big love for old signs, motorcycles, and rusty treasures. They were introduced by a mutual friend, and the connection was instant.

They started dating right away and stayed together for 18 long years before getting married. That’s not something you hear every day. Many people might wonder — why wait so long? But for Jodi and Mike, it worked. Their bond was built slowly, with trust and support.

Jodi believed in Mike’s dreams, even when they didn’t have much. She stood by his side as he worked hard to build what would later become a hit TV show.

Jodi Faeth and Mike Wolfe’s Long Relationship

Jodi and Mike had the kind of relationship that started long before the fame. They weren’t your typical Hollywood couple. While Mike was busy building his antique business and later launching American Pickers, Jodi stayed steady behind the scenes.

She helped raise Mike’s daughter from a past relationship and took care of her own son, Kyle, whom she had in her teen years. Kyle was raised mostly by Jodi, and she kept him out of the spotlight.

When American Pickers finally aired in 2010, Mike became a TV star. But Jodi kept her same quiet, grounded lifestyle. She supported Mike, but she never craved attention.

Their Wedding and New Life Together

After nearly two decades of being together, Jodi and Mike finally got married on September 8, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. It was a small, simple ceremony with close friends and family.

They had their honeymoon in beautiful Hawaii, and shortly before their wedding, they had welcomed their daughter Charlie Faeth Wolfe in January 2012.

At this point, Mike was already well-known from American Pickers, and life was changing fast. But Jodi stayed true to who she was. She never showed off or bragged. Instead, she focused on building a warm home for her family and giving her daughter a loving childhood.

Jodi Faeth Becomes a Mom to Charlie

Becoming a mother again changed Jodi’s life. When Charlie was born, Jodi was overjoyed. But her happiness soon turned into worry. Charlie was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate, which are serious health conditions that can make feeding and speech difficult for babies.

In her first year alone, Charlie had to go through two major surgeries. Jodi spoke honestly about the pain and stress of those early months. “We cried when we found out,” she said in an interview. “But Charlie had excellent surgical care and is happy and healthy today.”

Despite the fear, Jodi stayed strong. She made sure Charlie had the best doctors and support. That’s what kind of mom she is — full of love, patience, and quiet courage.

The Health Struggles Jodi Faeth Faced

Just one year after Charlie was born, Jodi was diagnosed with stage 2 non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013. It was a huge shock. Jodi had always lived a clean, healthy life. She was a vegan, she exercised, and she made her own fresh juices. She once said, “Even juicing, exercising mamas get cancer.”

The news hit hard, but Jodi didn’t give up. She went through treatment with strength and determination. All along, her daughter Charlie gave her hope and purpose. Jodi said Charlie was her “saving grace” and kept her smiling even on the hardest days.

In May 2015, Jodi got the news she had been praying for — she was cancer-free. Her husband Mike shared the happy moment with a post on Instagram, calling her a “#powermama.” It was a major victory after so much pain.

Jodi Faeth’s Strength During Her Daughter’s Medical Journey

Charlie’s early surgeries were scary, but they also brought the family closer together. Jodi later said feeding was the hardest part in the beginning — Charlie lost weight quickly, and it was heartbreaking to see.

But thanks to good doctors and Jodi’s care, Charlie got the treatment she needed. That experience changed Jodi deeply. She realized how lucky they were to afford medical care, and she wanted to help others who weren’t as fortunate.

That’s why she and Mike became ambassadors for Operation Smile, a group that helps kids born with cleft lips and palates around the world. Jodi hoped that by sharing her family’s story, they could help other children get life-changing surgeries too.

“Charlie inspires us to be better people,” Jodi said. And that’s exactly what she’s done.

How Jodi Faeth and Mike Wolfe Helped Others

After going through so much with their daughter’s medical condition, Jodi Faeth and Mike Wolfe wanted to give back. They knew how lucky they were to have access to good doctors and hospitals. Not all families have that chance.

That’s why they became proud supporters of Operation Smile, a group that helps children born with cleft lips and palates in poor countries. Jodi didn’t just donate money. She shared her story and helped spread awareness. She wanted other parents to feel less alone.

Jodi once said, “Charlie inspires us to be better people.” Helping other families became her way of saying thank you for the care Charlie received. It showed Jodi’s kind heart and her wish to make the world a little better.

Why Jodi Faeth and Mike Wolfe Got Divorced

In November 2020, Jodi Faeth filed for divorce from Mike Wolfe. The reason listed was “irreconcilable differences.” That means they just couldn’t make things work anymore, even after trying.

They had already separated in June 2020, but most people didn’t know. Jodi kept it private. The divorce surprised many fans because they had been together for so long — over 25 years including dating.

But sometimes, even strong couples grow apart. Mike was always traveling for his show, while Jodi stayed home with Charlie. Their lives started to move in different directions. And in the end, they decided to go their separate ways, peacefully and respectfully.

Jodi Faeth’s Divorce Settlement and Custody Win

The divorce became final in December 2021, and Jodi Faeth walked away with a fair settlement. She received $634,000 in alimony, which is money paid monthly to help her after the marriage.

She also got $5.2 million in cash for her share of the family’s properties and assets. That included their home in Nashville and another property in North Carolina. On top of that, Jodi will receive a share of royalties from the first 10 seasons of American Pickers until 2026.

When it came to parenting, Jodi was awarded primary custody of Charlie. She spends over 230 days a year with her daughter. Mike pays $2,100 per month in child support. The arrangement works well, especially since Mike still travels a lot for work.

What Happened to Jodi Faeth After the Divorce?

After the divorce, Jodi Faeth chose peace. She didn’t go on interviews or post anything online. She quietly stepped away from the spotlight and focused on her daughter and her own healing.

Jodi stayed in Nashville, Tennessee, living in the home she got from the divorce. Some reports say she went back to work as an accountant around 2017. Others say she’s focused on parenting and enjoying a simpler life.

She never remarried. She didn’t chase attention. She just moved on quietly, the same way she had always lived — with strength, calm, and grace.

Jodi Faeth’s Life Today in 2026

In 2026, Jodi Faeth is 54 years old and still living a private life. She’s not on social media. She doesn’t do public appearances. She’s simply focused on being a mom, staying healthy, and living in peace.

Her daughter Charlie is now a teenager, and they share a close bond. Jodi has raised her with love, patience, and strength. Even after everything — cancer, surgeries, divorce — she has kept her heart open and her head held high.

Jodi Faeth’s story may not be filled with fame or red carpets. But it’s full of real-life strength, quiet courage, and deep love. She didn’t just support a TV star. She built a life, faced hard battles, and kept going with grace.

Final Thoughts

So, what happened to Jodi Faeth? She lived through love, illness, motherhood, and heartbreak. And through it all, she stayed kind, calm, and strong. She supported Mike Wolfe during his rise to fame, raised two children with love, and beat cancer with quiet bravery.

Now, she’s living her life on her own terms — away from cameras, but not forgotten.

Jodi Faeth is more than just Mike Wolfe’s ex-wife. She’s a survivor, a mother, and a reminder that the quiet ones often have the strongest stories.

(FAQs)

How many children does Jodi Faeth have?

She has two children — a daughter named Charlie with Mike Wolfe, and a son named Kyle from a past relationship. Many fans didn’t know about her older son!

What is Jodi Faeth’s net worth now?

After the divorce, Jodi’s net worth jumped to over $6 million, including cash, real estate, and royalties from American Pickers. That’s more than many reality stars!

How old is Jodi Faeth in 2026?

Jodi was born on November 2, 1971, so she is 54 years old in 2026. Most people are shocked because she still looks much younger.

When did Jodi Faeth divorce Mike Wolfe — and why?

She filed for divorce in November 2020, after 26 years together, citing “irreconcilable differences.” They had quietly separated months earlier in June 2020.

Where is Jodi Faeth now in 2026?

She lives a quiet, private life in Nashville, raising her daughter and staying out of the spotlight. She hasn’t remarried and completely avoids social media.

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