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Erika Kirk
Kirk in 2025
Born
Erika Lane Frantzve

(1988-11-20) November 20, 1988 (age 37)
Ohio, U.S.
Education
Occupations
  • Businesswoman
  • podcaster
TitleCEO of Turning Point USA
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2021; died 2025)​
Children2
Beauty pageant titleholder
TitleMiss Arizona USA 2012
Major
competition		Miss USA 2012 (unplaced)

Erika Lane Kirk (née Frantzve; born November 20, 1988) is an American businesswoman, nonprofit executive, and podcaster. She is the chairwoman and CEO of the conservative organization Turning Point USA (TPUSA), which her late husband Charlie Kirk co-founded and led until his assassination in September 2025. She was appointed as his successor following his death.

Kirk previously won Miss Arizona USA in 2012 and participated in Miss USA 2012. She is the founder of Everyday Heroes Like You, a nonprofit supporting under-recognized charities, and BIBLEin365, a faith-based initiative that promotes reading the Bible. She also hosts the Midweek Rise Up podcast. She and Charlie began dating in 2019, married in 2021, and had two children together.

Early life

[edit]
Kirk as Miss Arizona USA winner in 2012

Erika Lane Frantzve was born on November 20, 1988,[1][2] in Ohio, to Lori and Kent Frantzve.[3] She was raised in Scottsdale, Arizona, following her parents' divorce. Her grandfather was an immigrant from Sweden.[4][5]In an interview with Megyn Kelly Kirk said her mother Lori said she is of a Lebanese-Italian background.[6] She was raised in a Catholic family, with her mother taking her to soup kitchens to help. She has said she entered beauty pageants as a way to contribute to the community, stating: "My mom used to take us to soup kitchens and constantly said we needed to share our blessings with others. When I learned that by competing I could touch more people, further my causes, I knew it was a chance to make a greater impact."[7]

In 2006, Kirk established Everyday Heroes Like You,[8] a 501(c)(3) organization that she described as a way to "promote and highlight the everyday heroes in our communities who have a philanthropic desire to truly make a difference in the lives of others", with national programs.[9] She attended Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale, Arizona,[10] where she played basketball and volleyball, earning the Matt Arnold Sportsmanship and Teammate Awards.[10] She played basketball for two years at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, appearing in eight games in the 2007–08 season as a reserve.[7] She completed her undergraduate studies at Arizona State University, double majoring in political science and international relations.[11][12][13]

Career

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Kirk participated in the Miss Arizona USA 2012 pageant, which she won on her 23rd birthday, and then represented Arizona in Miss USA 2012,[7] but failed to place. She holds a degree in American Legal Studies from Liberty University, where she is studying for a doctorate in biblical studies as of 2025.[14] In 2019, Kirk launched the podcast Midweek Rise Up.[15] That year, she also appeared on the reality television series Summer House.[16] She is the CEO of Proclaim Streetwear, a clothing brand,[12] and BIBLEin365, a ministry project.[17] As of 2025, she works as a real estate agent at the Corcoran Group in New York City.[18] After the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, she took over as CEO and chair of the board of Turning Point USA (TPUSA).[19][20]

Personal life

[edit]
Erika and Charlie Kirk speaking together at an event in Texas in June 2025

Erika and Charlie Kirk started dating in New York City in 2019,[21][22] and they became engaged in December 2020.[23] Charlie was the co-founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA).[24] They married on May 8, 2021, in Scottsdale.[23] TPUSA funded a wedding reception, held at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess hotel, coinciding with the organization's ninth anniversary.[25] Erika was frequently seen at Charlie's events.[22] The couple went on to have two children, a daughter born in 2022 and a son born in 2024.[26]

On September 10, 2025, Kirk's husband was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University, a stop of his American Comeback tour.[27][28] She subsequently gave a widely reported address from TPUSA headquarters,[29][30][31] pledging to carry on her husband's activities.[32]

Erika Kirk speaking at the memorial service of Charlie Kirk, September 21, 2025

In an interview with The New York Times, Kirk explained how she pushed to see her husband's body against advice from law enforcement. She reportedly told authorities, "With all due respect, I want to see what they did to my husband", before kissing him goodbye. She said he looked like he died happy with a "Mona Lisa–like half-smile".[3][33] A memorial service for Charlie was held on September 21 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.[34] The service was attended by over 90,000 people.[35][36][37] Prominent figures in attendance included President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance,[38] where Kirk publicly forgave Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing her husband.[39]

References

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  1. ^ Sommerlad, Joe (September 11, 2025). "What we know about Charlie Kirk's family". The Independent. Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  2. ^ Thakkar, Maitreyee (September 11, 2025). "How Erika Frantzve, former Miss Arizona, met Charlie Kirk and got married; their kids and what do we know about his family". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  3. ^ a b Draper, Robert (September 21, 2025). "For Erika Kirk, a Husband's Life Cut Short by Violence He Seemed to Foresee". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 23, 2025.
  4. ^ Sen, Sumanti (September 21, 2025). "Erika Kirk parents: What we know about slain Charlie Kirk's wife's family". Hindustan Times. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  5. ^ Blackwood, Emily (September 24, 2025). "What to Know About Erika Kirk's Mom, Lori Frantzve". People.com. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  6. ^ Erika Kirk on Continuing Charlie's Mission, Marriage, and Prayer, Plus Walter Kirn on UFOs and TDS (Video). The Megyn Kelly Show. Devil May Care Media. November 24, 2025. Event occurs at 1:23:29. Retrieved January 1, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Weinman, Cassandra (May 2012). "Erika Frantzve: more than just a pretty face". Arizona Foothills Magazine. Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  8. ^ Duke, Alan (September 23, 2025). "Fact Check: No Evidence Erika Kirk's 'Romanian Angels' Evangelical Ministry Was Accused Of Trafficking Children Or Banned From Romania". Lead Stories. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  9. ^ Brathwaite, Joanna. "AZ Giving Spotlight: Erika Frantzve of Everyday Heroes Like You". Arizona Foothills Magazine. Archived from the original on September 12, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  10. ^ a b Willsey, Les (May 19, 2007). "Everyday heroes award: East Valley represented by 4 student-athletes". EastValley.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  11. ^ Bennett, James (November 23, 2011). "ASU senior wins Miss Arizona USA; UA senior runner-up". Mesa, Arizona: KOLD-TV. Archived from the original on September 13, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  12. ^ a b Walia, Gandharv (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk Present Condition and Family: Here's all about wife Erika Frantzve, children, chaotic scenes after attack and Utah Valley University shooting". The Economic Times. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  13. ^ Conard, Kristin (December 29, 2025). "What We Know About Charlie Kirk's Wife Erika's Career Before She Took Over Turning Point USA". MSN. Retrieved December 29, 2025.
  14. ^ Breen, Kerry (September 18, 2025). "Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, named new CEO of Turning Point USA". CBS News. Retrieved October 2, 2025.
  15. ^ Vaidyanathan, Vaishnavi (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk family: All on wife Erika Frantzve and children". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on September 10, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  16. ^ Perez, Lexy (September 14, 2025). "Charlie Kirk Widow Erika Appeared on Bravo's 'Summer House' in Resurfaced Clip". The Hollywood Reporter.
  17. ^ Civita, Alicia (September 10, 2025). "Who Is Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's Widow?". The Latin Times. Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  18. ^ Cervantes Jr., Fernando (September 10, 2025). "What to know about Charlie Kirk's wife and family". USA Today. Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  19. ^ Williams, Michael (September 18, 2025). "Erika Kirk named CEO of Turning Point USA". CNN. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  20. ^ Reid, Tim (September 19, 2025). "Erika Kirk named CEO of Turning Point USA after husband's murder". Reuters. Retrieved September 25, 2025.
  21. ^ "Who Is Charlie Kirk's Wife, Erika Frantzve & What Is Their Relationship History?". Yahoo Life. February 11, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  22. ^ a b Kindelan, Katie (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk's family: What to know about his wife Erika, 2 kids". ABC News. Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  23. ^ a b Marin, Kate (November 22, 2022). "Who is Charlie Kirk's wife? His business savvy partner". The Netline. Archived from the original on June 19, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  24. ^ Severns, Maggiel (December 14, 2020). "In final years at Liberty, Falwell spent millions on pro-Trump causes". Politico. Archived from the original on August 24, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  25. ^ Slodysko, Brian (January 11, 2024). "How Trump's MAGA movement helped a 29-year-old activist become a millionaire". Arizona Daily Star. Associated Press. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  26. ^ Sommerlad, Joe; Marcus, Josh (September 21, 2025). "What we know about Charlie Kirk's family". The Independent. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  27. ^ Turnbull, Tiffanie (September 12, 2025). "Charlie Kirk shooting: What we know about death of close Trump ally". BBC News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  28. ^ "Charlie Kirk: Trump ally shot dead at campus event in Utah". BBC News. Archived from the original on September 11, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  29. ^ Goldberg, Emma (September 13, 2025). "Grieving in Public, Erika Kirk Melds the Personal and Political". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  30. ^ Saad, Nardine; Matza, Max (September 13, 2025). "'I will never let your legacy die' – Charlie Kirk's widow gives tearful address after shooting". BBC News. Archived from the original on September 16, 2025. Retrieved September 16, 2025.
  31. ^ Sarnoff, Leah; Kindelan, Katie (September 14, 2025). "Erika Kirk delivers emotional remarks to the nation after killing of husband Charlie Kirk". ABC News. Archived from the original on September 18, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  32. ^ Saad, Nardine; Matza, Max (September 13, 2025). "Erika Kirk pledges 'my husband's voice will remain' in tribute to Charlie Kirk". BBC News. Archived from the original on September 17, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  33. ^ Coffey-Behrens, Kelly (September 21, 2025). "Erika Kirk Shares Haunting Details Of Charlie Kirk's Last Moments In Hospital". BLAST News. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  34. ^ Smith, Sarah; Levinson-King, Robin (September 21, 2025). "Trump hails Charlie Kirk as martyr to thousands at memorial service". BBC News. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  35. ^ Macias, Amanda (September 21, 2025). "Charlie Kirk honored by 90K in one of the largest memorials for a private citizen". Fox News. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  36. ^ "Charlie Kirk memorial service: Police estimate over 90,000 in attendance". The Arizona Republic. September 21, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025. About 90,000 to 100,000 people were in attendance for Charlie Kirk's memorial, according to a Glendale police estimate.
  37. ^ Castro, Amanda; Taheri, Mandy; He, Bianca; Aitken, Peter (September 21, 2025). "Charlie Kirk Memorial: Erika, Trump to pay tribute—Watch Live". Newsweek. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
  38. ^ Yang, Maya; Lawther, Fran (September 21, 2025). "Charlie Kirk funeral and memorial: time, updates from Arizona – live". The Guardian. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  39. ^ Gambino, Lauren (September 21, 2025). "Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, says she forgives man accused of murder". The Guardian. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
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