No, American Pickers’ Danielle Didn’t Meet A Tragic End — Her Death Rumor Explained (& Where She Is Now)

Despite what many people online have said, American Pickers’ Danielle Colby did not die tragically, and she’s very much alive and active. History Channel’s American Pickers follows antique and collectibles aficionado Mike Wolfe as he scours the United States for forgotten treasures and unexpected finds. While Wolfe is the star of the series, there are plenty of supporting characters who give the show color. From American Pickers engineers like Bob Petersen to office workers like Danielle Colby, everyone contributes.

Danielle Colby worked with Wolfe long before the History Channel decided their business was worth turning into a reality show. In the series, Danielle is in charge of the American Picker stores in LeClaire, Iowa, and Nashville, Tennessee, where Wolfe holds what he collects and prepares it to be sold. Danielle has been a long-time member of the team, appearing in over 360 episodes since 2010 when the show first aired. She is such an important part of the series that when she stepped away briefly, fans were immediately speculating the worst must have happened..

Danielle Colby Took A Break From American Pickers For Surgery

Danielle briefly left American Pickers in season 23 after episode 15, “Flea Market Junkie”. There was not much in the way of explanation at first, leading some people online to spread rumors that Danielle had passed away. However, that was far from the truth. She left the series temporarily because she planned to undergo a hysterectomy to fix some painful health problems she had been fighting. Colby set the record straight in a blog post on her Patreon, writing (via The Sun),

“About four months ago I shared with Mike’s girlfriend Tish, that I was having a terrible time on set managing my menstrual cycles. It seemed like I was always bleeding, it was always an excruciating amount of pain, feeling like I was being held back from a lot of opportunities because I couldn’t figure out how to control the amount of pain I was living with.

She talked with me for a while about the importance of getting into the gynecologist and making sure that everything is OK. So about three months ago I was finally able to find a female gynecologist, get into an appointment, have multiple exams and understood more about what was happening in my body. I’m extremely thankful for this conversation with Tish because I found out that I have uterine fibroids.”

After she discovered what was happening to her body, Colby learned she would have to undergo a hysterectomy to save her life, writing,

“My doctor informed me that this was not a situation, and I couldn’t live with it. In fact, this is a situation that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, surgically. During the exams, because of the number and size of the fibroids, she was not able to procure a proper biopsy sample from the area that she was most concerned with.

She informed me that I was going to need to have my uterus removed regardless of whether the biopsy came back cancerous or not. My uterus is enlarged and heavy with fibroids so it’s causing a lot of distress elsewhere in my body.”

Colby did go through with the hysterectomy and has come back out the other side healthy, reappearing in American Pickers at the end of season 23, and returning to the main cast in season 24. She posted a video on her Instagram showing her first post-operation burlesque show, meaning she was quickly able to go back to doing what she loves.

Is Danielle Feuding With Mike Wolfe?

Danielle was the focus of another American Pickers rumor when it was suggested that she and her longtime friend Mike Wolfe were feuding, a rumor that came about after Frank Fritz left the show. It’s not clear why Frank left American Pickers after season 21, but some people imagined there was a feud between all three stars. Colby put a stop to these internet rumors when she posted an Instagram with her and Mike together.

In the caption, she writes about Frank,

“I’m truly saddened for the loss of Frank on the show. I’m incredibly sad for his struggles… 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. It is not my place to speak Ill of someone who needs help so I will keep my comments uplifting.”

In July 2021, Frank spoke with The Sun and explained his feud with Wolfe,

“I haven’t talked to Mike in two years. 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.”

There’s clearly a lot of bad blood between Wolfe and Fritz but none of it has to do with Danielle, apparently.

Where American Pickers’ Danielle Is Now

Danielle returned to American Pickers for season 24 and is currently a cast member in season 25. She has also continued her longtime career as a burlesque dancer, touring with the Burlesque Le Moustache troupe. She frequently posts pictures and videos of her shows and outfits on Instagram. She has two children, Miles and Memphis, and married her long-time boyfriend, Alexandre De Meyer, in February 2024.