Charlie Kirk’s wife Erica delivers her tearful address
Erica Kirk gave a tearful speech, where she vowed that her husband’s message would only be amplified by those who sought to silence him.
The open ceremony for Charlie Kirk is scheduled for Sunday, September 21st in Glendale, Arizona, more than a week after being fatally shot in Utah.
One of the nation’s most influential and conservative activists, Charlie Kirk was killed in one gunshot on September 10 while talking to a crowd of thousands at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, about 40 miles south of Salt Lake City.
His assassination set fire to firestorms across the country. Tyler Robinson, the suspect in the attack, was charged on September 16 with seven felony charges including worsening murder, discharge from a felony firearm, obstruction of justice and tampering with eyewitnesses. Local prosecutors said they would seek the death penalty.
The 31-year-old activist and founder of Turning Point USA was a controversial figure, inspiring millions of people, infuriating strong conservative views on millions, and infuriating often burnt Cenistic words, from abortion, race and gender to gay marriage and gun rights.
Arizona’s additional service ceremony could attract thousands of mourners. Charlie Kirk’s wife, Erica Kirk, gave a keynote address and stepped into her later roles with a few days after Turning Point USA selected her to lead her as the new CEO.
She will appear in Arizona along with many prominent conservatives and Republican figures and lawmakers. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance will also be speaking at the memorial, according to Turning Point USA’s September 17 social media post. Charlie Kirk’s body was transported from Salt Lake City, Utah to Phoenix Funeral on Thursday, September 11, 2025.
Ahead of the additional service ceremony on September 21, here’s what you need to know about Erika Kirk, the new head of Turning Point USA:
Who is Erika Kirk?
Erika Lane Kirk, 36, grew up in Metro Phoenix and regularly appeared on the side of her husband, who commanded Turning Point USA. The pair have been married since 2021 and lived in Arizona with two young children at the time of his death.
According to her website’s biopage, former Erica Franzbe received her bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Arizona State University. She earned her law degree from the Faculty of Law at Liberty University in 2019 and says she has a doctorate in Bible Studies on her website.
She was not a stranger to the public’s eyes before marrying Charlie Kirk – she crowned Miss Arizona USA in 2012 and made a short cameo in the episode of Bravo’s reality show Summer House, which aired in 2019.
She is the CEO and founder of a nonprofit hero like you, a faith-based clothing brand, and a ministry project called Biblein365, and says her bio is “trying to help individuals engage in the Bible every day.”
She is also the host of the “Rising Throughout the Week” podcast, describing it as “a series of prayers focused on Bible leadership and empowering others to lead with integrity and purpose.” On her podcasts and as a regular feature beside her husband, Erica Kirk publicly defends the same political and biblical views as her husband, focusing on young women in particular.
According to a report from the Republic of Arizona, the USA Today Network’s The Arizona Republic, she encouraged women to marry young and have children, including delaying career aspirations. Together with her husband, they pushed traditional gender roles, entrusted men with spiritual leadership of their families, providing financially and physically protecting their wives and children.
How did Erica and Charlie Kirk meet?
According to Fox News, Erika and Charlie Kirk met in 2018, and the two had a “very long dinner,” conservative activists said in a video shared on the Turning Point YouTube page.
In the same video, Charlie Kirk says he knew his wife was there “quickly.” According to an Instagram post shared on May 25, 2021, they married on May 8th at a ceremony in Scottsdale, Arizona.
In an Instagram post on September 12th, Erika Kirk wrote: “I don’t know what they sparked in this wife. If I think my husband’s mission is big now… you’re not thinking. You are all of you. Everyone.
Contributors: Jonathan Limehouse, Michael Collins, Trevor Hughes, Michael Loria, Lauren Villagran of USA Today. Taylor Sealy, Republic of Arizona.
Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA Today. You can contact her kapalmer@usatoday.com And with x @Kathrynplmr.
