90 Day Fiancé star Elizabeth "Libby" Potthast's father, Chuck, announced that he has cancer and has been battling it for some time. Chuck came into the public eye when daughter Libby was featured during her quest to bring her now-husband, Andrei Castravet, to the United States on a K1 visa. Since then, he has figured prominently on the show, mostly in the role of a protective father of his seven children. Libby and Andrei, who were married in both their home countries, currently live in Florida and share a daughter named Eleanor.
Chuck's life on-screen hasn't been easy. His initial suspicion of 90 Day Fiancé star Andrei and his intentions regarding Libby have resulted in many on-screen arguments and painful family rifts. Andrei's short temper has often led to blow-ups between him and several of Libby's siblings, several of whom work together in their father's real estate business. During one of the more explosive family meetings, Andrei and Libby's brother nearly came to blows, and Chuck ended up in tears at the state of his children's relationships. Libby's sisters, Jenn and Becky, are often at the center of the controversy because of their own suspicions about Andrei's motives.
All About The Tea reports that a recent preview clip of 90 Day Diaries features Chuck divulging his cancer diagnosis. He didn't reveal what type of cancer he has or how it is affecting his ability to run his business, but fans were quick to offer support to the family's patriarch. Chuck's most recent Instagram post shows him in good spirits, celebrating son-in-law Andrei's birthday with a video of the two dancing together.
Whether Chuck has smoothed things over with daughter Becky (for threatening to go into business against him) or son Charlie (who often gets into it with Andrei and Libby) is somewhat of a mystery. Ever since the awkward tell-all, neither of them has shown up on Chuck's Instagram feed, where he seems the most active when it comes to posting on social media. Lately, his grid has been full of Tampa Bay Buccaneer appreciation posts.
Several of the Potthast kids are extremely volatile, especially when it comes to how their dad spends his money. Libby and Andrei have been a source of anger for Charlie, Jenn and Becky, who complain constantly that Chuck is financing the couple's lifestyle. This family's penchant for arguing, getting in each other's faces and openly disparaging each other must be extremely stressful and sad for Chuck, who clearly just wants everyone to get along. Fans of 90 Day Fiancé are hopeful that his kids can put their petty disagreements aside and help Chuck get through this health crisis.
Sources: All About The Tea, Chuck Potthast/Instagram