Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot Sept. 10 while speaking to a crowd of students at Utah Valley University. He was 31. He leaves behind his wife, Erika Kirk, and their two young children.
Erika Lane Frantzve, born Nov. 20, 1988, in Scottsdale, Arizona, met Charlie Kirk in 2018. The couple married in Scottsdale in 2021. Together, they had two children: a daughter born in August 2022 and a son born in May 2024. On
social media, she shares glimpses of family life—beautiful, simple moments with family, such as family walks, holding hands, taking in the view of nature together, and family hugs and kisses. Her children’s faces are never shown.
She has also built a career at the intersection of faith, service, and leadership. Erika grew up in a Catholic household that emphasized service. "Ever since I was a little girl my mom would always tell me, 'The greatest thing you can ever give someone is your time.' Her words were the foundation to my constant drive to 'give back' to others," she
said in an interview with Arizona Foothills Magazine.
In 2006, at just 17 years old, she founded "Everyday Heroes Like You," a nonprofit that celebrates community service and highlights everyday heroes making a difference. The charity’s description line on its
social media page states to "Live by faith and compassion, but walk with the knowledge that you have a divine purpose and mission in life to change the world.”
The organization’s last post in 2016 promoted Operation Crossroads Africa, which sent volunteers to support grassroots projects in education, medicine, construction, and agriculture in Africa for seven weeks.
Erika attended Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale, where she played basketball and volleyball, earning the Matt Arnold Sportsmanship and Teammate Awards. She continued her athletic career at Regis University in Denver, Colorado, playing two years on the women’s basketball team before transferring to Arizona State University to study political science and international relations.
She earned a degree in political science from Arizona State University, and went on to complete a Juris Master’s at Liberty University and a doctorate in Christian Leadership. Erika was also crowned Miss Arizona USA in 2012, and used her visibility to champion charitable work.
Erika most recently leads BIBLEin365, a ministry that guides thousands through the Bible each year, and runs Proclaim—a faith-centered clothing company designed to support the free Bible program. The clothing line emphasizes that every garment is ethically made in the United States and is prayerfully made.
On the Proclaim
website, Erika and Charlie are pictured together modeling the clothing. Collections feature scripture-based designs and phrases intended to spark conversation—shirts and sweatshirts imprinted with verses, and messages about hope, courage, and grace. The lifestyle collection ranges from blankets stitched with scripture to glass straws etched with inspiration, like “the Lord is with you wherever you go.” The products are designed as a tangible reminder of faith in everyday life.
Erika also hosts a podcast called "
Midweek Rise Up"—a devotional podcast released every Wednesday, alongside a Monday Meditations series. "Each episode is intentionally and prayerfully crafted with words of encouragement to inspire you, Biblical leadership to challenge you, and God-breathed Scripture to posture your heart for the best that’s yet to come," states the podcast's description. She reminds her audience: “You are chosen. You are loved. You are enough.”
Just days before Charlie’s death, Erika released a Monday Meditations
podcast sharing, "The most powerful sermon you’ll ever preach won’t be the one you say with words," adding that it’ll be how you forgive, how you serve, how you listen, or how you love someone who didn’t earn it.
She spoke about Charlie’s calm in hostile settings: “My husband is on college campuses getting screamed at by students, and he is so calm ... That is the Holy Spirit. His actions radiate the Holy Spirit.”
Erika challenged listeners: “What sermon is your life preaching? Is it the gospel of striving? Is it the gospel of self-protection or of criticism? Or is it the gospel of Jesus, which is full of grace, full of truth, full of mercy, full of justice, patience, and conviction?” She continued: “When your child watches how you treat the waitress, what do they learn about God? When your spouse sees how you respond under pressure, what do they believe about love? And when your neighbor watches how you talk about others behind closed doors, what are they being taught about integrity?”
Her reflections drew on verses like Matthew 5:16—"Let your light shine before others"—and Micah 6:8—"Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God."
