Erika Kirk Named CEO of Turning Point USA After Husband Charlie Kirk's Assassination. Here's What to Know About Her
The assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University on September 10 has reshaped both the political and cultural landscape in the United States. His death sparked national reactions, with President Donald Trump blaming “the radical left” and conservative activists warning of heightened unrest. The fallout also extended to media, as ABC suspended Jimmy Kimmel’s long-running late-night show following remarks he made about the right’s response to the killing.
Erika Kirk becomes CEO of Turning Point USA after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, vowing to expand his conservative movement and legacy.
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Attention has since turned to Erika Kirk, Charlie’s widow, who has now stepped into a central leadership role. On September 18, Turning Point USA announced that Erika had been appointed Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board. According to the organization, Charlie had previously expressed his wish that Erika would lead TPUSA in the event of his death.
Erika Kirk, formerly Erika Frantzve, is 36 years old and was born and raised in Arizona. She won Miss Arizona in 2012 and played collegiate basketball at Regis University. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a juris master from Liberty University, where she is pursuing a doctorate in biblical studies.
Charlie and Erika met in 2018, became engaged in December 2020, and married in May 2021 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The couple have two young children but never revealed their names or faces publicly.
Erika Kirk has built a prominent social media presence, with over 6.3 million Instagram followers. She frequently appeared on The Charlie Kirk Show alongside her husband, often sharing her political and religious views. In a past episode, Charlie described Erika as “far more conservative” than himself, noting her strong traditionalist values.
In September 2023, Erika openly embraced ideals associated with the “trad wife” movement, advocating for wives to support and submit to their husbands in a biblical sense. She also has a background in media, including a brief appearance on Bravo’s Summer House, though she declined further television opportunities to focus on academics and faith.
Religion has remained central in Erika’s life. She was raised in a Catholic family, hosts a weekly devotional podcast titled Midweek Rise Up, and leads PROCLAIM, a clothing company dedicated to spreading Christian teachings. Hours before her husband’s assassination, she posted Psalm 46:1 on social media: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
On September 12, Erika delivered her first public address since Charlie’s death, speaking from his studio. She declared her intent to continue his mission, stating, “They killed Charlie because he preached a message of patriotism, faith, and of God’s love… You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife.” She also thanked Donald Trump for his support, noting Charlie’s admiration for the former president.
A memorial service for Charlie Kirk will be held at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with scheduled appearances from Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. Erika is expected to deliver remarks at the event.
Beyond her leadership at TPUSA, Erika has consistently urged young women to embrace traditional family roles. Speaking at Turning Point’s Young Women’s Leadership Summit earlier this year, she emphasized that raising children with “wisdom, love, and truth” was more valuable than career pursuits.
With her appointment as CEO of Turning Point USA, Erika Kirk is set to become one of the most prominent female executives in conservative politics, pledging to expand the movement her husband co-founded and to preserve his legacy.
