Chuck Potthast, the beloved father of “90 Day Fiancé” star Elizabeth Castravet, has died at 64 following a battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. His daughter announced the news on Instagram, revealing that Potthast passed away two weeks before her post on Nov. 23, 2025.
“Two weeks ago, tragedy struck our family and it has left us completely shattered,” Castravet wrote in her announcement. “My sweet, loving, and caring dad went to heaven. We’re trying to figure out how to navigate our lives and move forward without him.”
The family requested privacy during what they described as an extremely difficult time. Potthast’s other daughter, Becky Potthast, who also appeared on the TLC reality series, shared her own tribute to their father. She expressed that the pain was more than she could bear and that her world had become distorted into a place she didn’t understand following his death.
Potthast became a familiar face to reality television audiences after first appearing on “90 Day Fiancé” in 2017, when the show began documenting his daughter Elizabeth’s relationship with Andrei Castravet. The couple married that same year and have since welcomed two children: daughter Eleanor, now six, and son Winston, now three. Potthast appeared regularly throughout the series starting in season five, often finding himself in the middle of family disputes as Elizabeth’s relationship with Andrei progressed.
The reality star’s health struggles had been documented on the show and shared with fans over the years. In 2016, Potthast was diagnosed with bladder cancer, which ultimately resulted in the removal of his bladder. Following the surgery, he lived with a urine pouch, a reality he openly discussed in a 2022 episode of “90 Day Diaries.” His willingness to share his medical journey with viewers highlighted his candid nature and desire to raise awareness about his condition.
More recently, Potthast underwent hernia surgery on Sept. 14, 2025, to address complications that had developed from his previous cancer operations. What was initially planned as a routine three to four-hour procedure turned into an eight-hour operation when surgeons discovered his stomach wall had completely collapsed. In a video update shared from his hospital bed, Potthast maintained his characteristic sense of humor despite the serious nature of the surgery.
He explained that his surgery was supposed to be about three to four hours long to fix hernias from his previous cancer operations. He joked about an unexpected benefit of the extended procedure, noting that he now had a flat stomach. He thanked his supporters for their prayers and said their support helped him get through the ordeal.
His last Instagram update appeared on Oct. 3, 2025, featuring images from a boating trip with family in Tampa, Florida. Fans have since flooded the post with messages of condolence, remembering Potthast as a loving and supportive father who made a lasting impression during his time on the show.
Beyond his health challenges, Potthast played a significant role in his family’s storyline on “90 Day Fiancé,” particularly during periods of estrangement between Elizabeth and her siblings. The show captured moments when family tensions ran high, with Potthast often serving as a voice of reason. He urged his family members to attend therapy together, stating plainly that he wanted their fractured relationships fixed. His efforts to bring the family together resonated with viewers who saw him as a devoted patriarch trying to maintain unity despite difficult circumstances.
Elizabeth later told Us Weekly that she maintained contact primarily with her father, her sister Becky, and occasionally her mother during the period of family estrangement. She described having her own family as her focus during those challenging times. The distance from other family members was a recurring theme in later seasons of the show.
Glioblastoma, the form of brain cancer that ultimately claimed Potthast’s life, is known for being one of the most aggressive types of brain tumors. The disease presents significant treatment challenges and currently has no cure, making his final battle particularly difficult for his family and loved ones. His openness about his various health struggles over the years provided insight into the realities of living with serious medical conditions while maintaining family relationships and participating in a public television program.
Potthast’s presence on “90 Day Fiancé” extended beyond typical reality television appearances. Viewers came to know him as a hands-on grandfather, a protective father navigating his daughter’s unconventional romance, and someone who faced medical adversity with remarkable resilience. His death leaves a void not only for his immediate family but also for the show’s audience who followed his journey over multiple seasons.
