Erika Kirk, the wife of Charlie Kirk, has finally shared her heartfelt thoughts after her husband’s sudden passing at just 31 years old. It’s a tough time for the family, and her words offered a glimpse into their private grief.
“Charlie just loved life so much,” Erika, 36, said during a live video on Charlie’s X account on Friday, September 12. “He loved his life, he loved America, he loved nature. That always brought him closer to God.” She added with a touch of his personality, “He absolutely loved the Chicago Cubs, and oh my goodness, how he adored the Oregon Ducks!”
Erika also made it clear that Charlie’s biggest loves were his family and his roles as a devoted husband and father. The couple shared two young children, a boy and a girl, making his loss even more heartbreaking.
“More than anything, Charlie cherished his children and he loved me with his whole heart,” she continued, her voice filled with emotion. “I knew it every single day. He made sure I knew it every day.” She remembered his constant kindness. “Every day he’d ask me, ‘How can I serve you better? How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better dad?’ He was such a good man. He still is. He was the perfect father. He was the perfect husband.”
She urged everyone listening to remember a few key things. “Listen to me when I tell you this: nobody is too young to learn about faith. Nobody. And nobody is too young to get involved in helping this beautiful country.” She spoke of his deep patriotism. “This country, which my husband loved and still loves. And nobody is too old either, there’s no age limit.” Erika feels his presence keenly. “I know my husband is still here. He’s watching over us. I can’t remember the last time I slept. I couldn’t sleep last night.”
Then, Erika spoke directly to her late husband in a truly moving moment. “Charlie, honey, Charlie, I promise you I will never let your legacy fade, darling, I won’t,” she vowed. “Oh, Charlie, I love you. I love you, honey. Rest in the arms of our Lord as he wraps you in the words I know your heart always longed to hear. Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
She shared the immense challenge of explaining his death to their young daughter, Gigi. “Last night, when I got home, Gigi, our daughter, ran into my arms,” Erika recounted. “I talked to her and she said, ‘Mommy, I miss you,’ and I said back, ‘I miss you too, honey.’ Then she asked, ‘Where is Daddy?’ How do you tell that to a 3-year-old? She’s 3 years old.” Erika found a way to comfort her. “I told her, ‘Daddy loves you very much, honey, he’s on a business trip with Jesus so he can pay for your blueberry budget.'”
Charlie was tragically shot during his American Comeback Tour at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. This happened on Wednesday, September 10. Initial reports said he was in critical condition. However, his activist group, Turning Point USA, later confirmed the heartbreaking news that Charlie had died.
“With heavy hearts, we, the leadership team of Turning Point USA, write to tell you that, earlier this afternoon, Charlie went to receive his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in heaven,” the group announced in a statement to its employees and supporters on Wednesday.
President Donald Trump, 79, also shared the sad news on his Truth Social platform. He wrote, “The great, and still legendary, Charlie Kirk, has passed away. Nobody understood or had the heart of the youth in America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially by me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and I send our condolences to his beautiful wife Erika and his family. Charlie, we love you!”
Trump also ordered all American flags to fly at half-staff. This tribute to Charlie will last until Sunday, September 14, at 6 p.m.
Charlie co-founded Turning Point USA in 2012 when he was just 18 years old. This nonprofit group promotes conservative ideas on high school and college campuses. He quickly became one of the most powerful conservative activists in the country. He also built strong ties with Trump’s inner circle.
In 2021, Charlie married Erika, who was once Miss Arizona USA. They welcomed their daughter in August 2022, and their son was born in May 2024.
Earlier this year, Erika honored her husband on July 4th. She mentioned she was “especially thankful” for him on patriotic holidays like Independence Day.
“I just love how much he loves this country,” she wrote alongside a video of Charlie playing with their kids at the beach. “He believes the freedoms we celebrate today are worth fighting for every single day.” She noted that even if people didn’t agree with every word he said, they should appreciate his right to say it. “May we all be able to speak. May this land, imperfect in some ways and perfect in others, be woven by a Constitution that beautifully protects our voice, our faith, our homes, and our hope.” She concluded, “That, by itself, is something worth celebrating.”
She added, “So today, I thank God for freedom. I thank God for the gift of this nation. And I thank God for a husband who, day after day, gives everything he has to defend it. Happy Birthday, America. May we never take you for granted. I love you, @charliekirk1776.”