Anyone who has followed American Pickers knows that Mike has an easygoing, personable nature that works well for the show's dynamic. But underneath that charm, Mike had several family crises in recent years that could mean the end of his television career, at least temporarily. 

First, Mike's wife Jodi was diagnosed with cancer in 2013. According to Antique Archeology the American Pickers website and blog, Jodi was diagnosed with stage II Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. Thankfully, the diagnosis was caught early on, and it was swiftly treated. Mike has celebrated the anniversary of his wife being cancer-free on Instagram. 

Then, Mike and Jodi's only daughter, Charlie, was born with a series of complications. Jodi had a son from a previous marriage, but Charlie arrived when Jodi was already much older. Before she was even born, Charlie was diagnosed with a disorder known as Cleft lip and palate. The Wolfe family knew that it would take several years of surgery to correct Charlie's condition, and that alone was reason for concern.

In fact, in 2016, Mike was so concerned about the long process Charlie's surgeries were taking that he preemptively announced his exit from the show. Fans were deeply upset, but understood his role as a parent outweighed his commitment to the show. However, since Charlie's recovery from the surgeries, she is now a happy 8-year-old, and Mike has not announced retirement any time soon!