Who’s Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s grieving widow?: What to know

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Erika Kirk, the widow of Turning Level USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, has lived a lot of her grownup life within the public eye – first as Miss Arizona USA, later as a ministry chief and entrepreneur, and most not too long ago as a spouse and mom who shared her husband’s outspoken Christian religion. Their love story, rooted in prayer and function, formed not solely their marriage however the motion he constructed, a legacy she now carries ahead after his loss of life.

Hours earlier than her life modified ceaselessly, Erika Kirk, posted a Bible verse, Psalm 46:1, which says: "God is our refuge and energy, a really current assist in hassle."

A baptized Catholic who attended Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, Erika Kirk at the moment hosts a podcast referred to as "Midweek Rise Up." It is described on her web site as a devotional collection launched each Wednesday, together with Monday Meditations, "to offer you that deep breath of, ‘God’s acquired this.’"

The web site says every episode "is deliberately and prayerfully crafted with phrases of encouragement to push you, Biblical management to problem you, and God-breathed Scripture to posture your coronary heart for the most effective that’s but to come back."

ERIKA KIRK BREAKS SILENCE AFTER HUSBAND CHARLIE’S ASSASSINATION WITH ADDRESS AT TURNING POINT USA HEADQUARTERS

Charile Kirk and his spouse, Erika Lane Frantzve and their two kids at Christmas in December 2024. (Charlie Kirk by way of Fb)

Erika and Charlie met in 2018 after which had a "very lengthy dinner." Charlie said that he knew "virtually instantly" that she was the one.

Erika posted a selfie of her and Charlie on Sept. 5, 2023, marking 5 years for the reason that two met. She wrote, "5 years in the past right now, we sat inside Invoice's Burgers in NYC deep in dialog and banter over theology, philosophy, and politics and on the finish, you paused, checked out me and mentioned, ‘I will date you.’"

Each Erika and Charlie spoke overtly concerning the significance of dating with intention , one thing they mentioned they did once they met.

Charlie proposed to Erika in December 2020. She captioned photos of the engagement on Instagram, "When God writes your love story, you get to marry your finest pal." The 2 married lower than a yr later in Could 2021.

In a put up with their marriage ceremony images, Erika wrote, "To the person I’ve been praying for, earlier than I ever met you. [T]o the person that I honor, respect, and deeply cherish. [T]o the person that leads in ways in which remind me of the leaders earlier than our time and [whose] confidence in God’s phrase jogs my memory of Daniel... [T]o the person that I'm immeasurably blessed to have the ability to name my husband. My CJK. I like you, [Charlie]."

Charlie Kirk and his spouse, Erika, seem on stage throughout the Turning Level USA Inaugural-Eve Ball on the Salamander Resort in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 19, 2025. (Samuel Corum/Getty Pictures)

The function God performed of their love story was a theme all through Erika’s posts about her husband.

In February, Erika posted a video to Instagram that includes herself, Charlie and their kids that was captioned: "thanks for being my love story."

The put up has since gone viral after the TPUSA CEO's loss of life. Charlie commented on the video: "my favourite."

In her first Instagram post after her husband's assassination, Erika wrote, "The world is evil. However our Savior. Our Lord. Our God. Не... Не is so good. I'll by no means have the phrases. Ever."

On Thursday, Charlie Kirk’s casket was flown aboard Air Power Two together with Erika, Vice President JD Vance and second girl Usha Vance. The vp was one of many individuals who carried Kirk’s casket onto the aircraft.

As they exited the plane, Erika and Usha had been seen holding fingers in a viral picture that confirmed the Kirks’ closeness to the administration. Erika Kirk additionally waived to supporters from the motorcade with a cross in hand.

Each the vp and President Donald Trump had been open about their relationships with Charlie Kirk and mourned him publicly, with the president ordering flags at half-staff throughout the nation.

Erika Kirk weeps over her late husband Charlie's casket. (@MrsErikaKirk/Instagram)

One other picture of Erika that went viral was her leaning over Charlie’s open casket, seemingly hugging her late husband. The picture was included with the primary put up she made after his loss of life and included a video of her holding and kissing her late husband’s lifeless fingers.

CHARLIE KIRK'S LAST 24 HOURS BEFORE HIS UTAH ASSASSINATION: MESSAGES OF FAITH, JUSTICE

Erika was no stranger to the limelight when she met Charlie. In 2012, she was topped Miss Arizona USA. Her Instagram has images of her bonding with different contestants and visiting the Pentagon whereas sporting her Miss Arizona sash. Her website nonetheless options choices for these seeking to ebook her as a mannequin or actress.

Along with her pageant title, Erika was an NCAA basketball participant at Regis College in Denver, Colorado, and graduated from Arizona State College after double majoring in Political Science and Worldwide Relations. She additionally earned a Juris Grasp’s in American Authorized Research at Liberty College.

In 2016, she started BIBLEin365 , difficult others to decide to studying the Bible over the course of a yr. The problem later grew to become a ministry program, which "seeks to assist people have interaction with the scriptures each day," in accordance with her web site.

Two years later, she launched Proclaim Streetwear, a faith-based clothes firm that joined forces with BIBLEin356 in September 2021. Every month Proclaim hosts a free digital BIBLEin365 reside Q&A with Erika and Pastor James Kaddis.

With supporters gathered alongside the route, Erika Kirk waves as a motorcade brings the physique of her husband, Charlie Kirk, to Hansen Mortuary Chapel in Phoenix on Sept. 11, 2025. (Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Pictures)

AUBURN COACH BRUCE PEARL SAYS CHARLIE KIRK WAS ASSASSINATED BECAUSE 'THEY COULDN'T BEAT HIM' IN TRIBUTE

Regardless of her accomplishments within the worlds of religion, vogue and pageants, Erika emphasised that her priorities in life included being a spouse and mom.

"Above all, Erika cherishes her function because the spouse of Charlie Kirk and the mom of their valuable son and daughter," her biography on her web site reads. "As she continues to develop in her ministry, management, and entrepreneurial endeavors, Erika stays dedicated to inspiring others to reside with function, rooted in religion and pushed by the love of Christ in each facet of life."

Erika Kirk spoke for the primary time for the reason that assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, at Turning Level USA on Sept. 12, 2025. (Courtesy: Turning Level USA)

On Friday, Erika broke her silence and gave a transferring assertion on digicam whereas standing subsequent to the empty chair through which Charlie recorded his podcast.

"Two days in the past, my husband, Charlie, went to see the face of his savior and his God," she mentioned by tears. "And one of many remaining conversations that he had on this earth, my husband witnessed for his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now and for all eternity he'll stand at his Savior's aspect sporting the fantastic crown of a martyr."

She added that Charlie's favorite Bible verse was Ephesians 5:25, which says: "Husbands, love your wives, simply as Christ cherished the church and gave himself up for her."

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In her message to America, Erika made it clear that the motion her husband began wouldn't die with him. She introduced that Turning Level USA would proceed its campus tour and would maintain its America Fest, which is scheduled to happen in Phoenix, Ariz., in December.

Charlie Kirk, who was killed throughout an occasion at Utah Valley college on Wednesday, is survived by his spouse and their two younger kids, whose names haven't been made public.