Charlie Kirk Dead at 31, Donald Trump Says
Charlie Kirk’s loved ones are in mourning.
Following the fatal shooting of the Turning Point USA co-founder during a speaking event at Utah Valley University Sept. 10, tributes poured in for the 31-year-old on social media. Indeed, President Donald Trump first confirmed the news of Charlie’s death while sharing his condolences to his wife Erika Frantzve Kirk and their two young children—a daughter born in August 2022 and a son born in May 2024.
“He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us,” the Apprentice alum wrote on Truth Social. “Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family.”
The conservative activist and former Miss Arizona USA winner first met in 2018 and Charlie knew “almost immediately” that Erika was the one.
“I met her and we had a very, very long dinner, which was very close to almost an interview,” he said in a June 2024 Turning Point USA video. “You’re gonna laugh, but you should absolutely interview for your spouse.”
The pair then became engaged in December 2020 before tying the knot in May 2021 in a “very intimate” ceremony without bridesmaids or groomsmen.
“To the man that I am immeasurably blessed to be able to call my husband,” Erika wrote on Instagram after her wedding alongside pictures from their big day. “My CJK. I love you.”
On their path to becoming parents, Charlie and Erika made the “difficult” decision to keep their daughter’s arrival a secret.
“In a world where everything is put on social media, where everything is constantly being posted and being talked about,” Charlie said in an audio clip on Instagram last month, “we made a decision to keep one thing rather private.”
That dedication to protecting their kids’ privacy has expanded since the arrival of their daughter, as Charlie and Erika have kept their kids’ names and faces off of social media. They have, however, often documented their family outings.
Ten days before Charlie’s death, the Kirk crew attended an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game, which was a regular occurrence for the family, as they also attended a Chicago Cubs game in March.
And in honor of Labor Day, Charlie shared his final Instagram photo with his family, posting a pic with his son at a National Park.
“God, family, country. In that order,” he captioned the Instagram photo. “Happy Labor Day!”
Read on for a closer look at Charlie and Erika’s family life.
August 2022
Charlie Kirk and his wife Erika Frantzve Kirk announced the birth of their first child, a daughter.
“Welcome to the world baby girl,” the Turning Point USA co-founder wrote on Instagram. “We love you so much”
December 2024
The former Miss Arizona USA celebrated a beach trip with her family, including their son, who was born in May 2024.
“That’s the excitement about obedience, you find out later what God had in mind,” she wrote on Instagram. “Reframe and refocus your mindset, if you have to, but always find joy in the surrender.”
January 2025
Charlie and Erika visited the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. with their daughter, who they refer to online as “GG.”
“Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it,” she captioned her Instagram post. “The only person who loves you more than us sweet GG is Jesus.”
March 2025
The conservative activist and his wife took GG to a Chicago Cubs baseball game.
“God, family, country,” he captioned the Instagram post, “and the Cubs.”
May 2025
Erika and Charlie brought their kids to the set of Sesame Street.
“Everyday with them I get to relive the firsts I didn’t even know I’d lost from my own childhood,” she wrote on Instagram. “It’s the purest kind of full circle. They are my reason to breathe slower, pray deeper, and love more intentionally.”
May 2025
Charlie celebrated the 1st birthday of his son and reflected on the impact that being a dad has had on him .
“He has brought an infinite amount of joy and laughter into our lives,” he wrote on Instagram. “Being a parent is an incredible gift, made far better because I get to do it alongside @mrserikakirk.
June 2025
Erika celebrated Charlie for “being the most intentional husband and daddy” with a Father’s Day post on Instagram, which included a video of him buying their daughter a new doll.
“You have to be on very good behavior to get something like this,” the conservative activist told his daughter while grabbing a doll from the store shelf. “Have you been a good girl? OK, I’ll get it for you.”
July 2025
In a Fourth of July video, Erika shared how the celebration of freedom reminds her of her love for Charlie.
“On days like today when the skies erupt in red, white, and blue and the air hums with the sound of freedom I find myself especially grateful for the man I call my husband,” she wrote on Instagram. “I love how much he loves this country. He believes that the freedoms we celebrate today are worth defending every day.”
“And while you may not agree with every word he says, I hope you can still be stirred by the fact that he can say them,” she continued. “That we can all speak. That this land, although imperfect in some ways and perfect in others, is stitched together by a Constitution that beautifully protects our voice, our worship, our homes, and our hope.”
She added, “That alone is something worth celebrating.”
August 2025
Charlie celebrated his eldest’s 3rd birthday with a memory of himself building sandcastles on the beach.
“Happy birthday to our incredible daughter,” Charlie wrote on Instagram. “Teaching her to know God, alongside @mrserikakirk, is the greatest privilege. Having a family will change your life in the best ways, so get married and have kids. You won’t regret it.”
Erika Kirk/Instagram
August 2025
Charlie and Erika took their kids to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game, which Erika saw as an opportunity to live her childhood again “through their eyes.”
“Am I providing a childhood for my kids that will be one that compels them toward gratitude and faith, or one that sends them searching for healing in places I failed to give it?” she wrote on Instagram. “And the answer to that, in all honesty, is being written once the decision is made.”
She added, “This window is short, drench yourself in it.”
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Leave a comment