Conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk welcomed two children with former Miss Arizona USA winner Erika Frantzve before his death in September 2025.
Kirk and Frantzve tied the knot in 2021 after two years of dating. They expanded their family with a daughter in August 2022 and a son in May 2024.
In September 2025, the Turning Point USA cofounder was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was rushed to a hospital for treatment where he later died, according to multiple media outlets at the time.
President Donald Trump was among those to release statements calling for prayers on behalf of Kirk’s family in the wake of the shooting death.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in Heaven,” a a Turning Point USA statement read.
Keep scrolling for more details on Kirk and his family:
Erika Frantzve
The couple started dating in 2019, with Kirk announcing on his podcast in December 2020 that they were engaged. Kirk and Frantzve — a businesswoman and former beauty pageant contestant — eventually tied the knot in Scottsdale, Arizona, in May 2021.
Frantzve, who, like her late husband, is an evangelical Christian, spoke in an August 2021 interview about the “blessings” the newlyweds had received since getting married while also reflecting on how her life had changed since meeting Kirk.
“I knew that, with the way we were living our life and how obedient we were [to God] in certain aspects and how intentional we were, we would have [God’s] favor,” she said in a 2021 interview. “I didn’t know it would be this unbelievable amount of blessings in front of us, and on us, and favor on us.”
Reflecting on her life before meeting Kirk, she recalled: “The things that you thought were painful [in the past] and the things you thought were amazing at the time, they hold no comparison [to life now]. I think sometimes people hold onto things and seasons in our life that we’re not supposed to.”
In May 2025, Kirk reflected on his Frantzve’s relationship via Instagram in honor of their fourth wedding anniversary.
“Today marks 4 years of being married to @mrserikakirk. Second to accepting Jesus, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made. She is bold, smart, loyal, and beautiful,” he wrote. “Happy anniversary Erika, I love you.”
First Child’s Birth
Kirk paid tribute to his wife’s strength during labor when he announced that they’d welcomed their first child, a daughter, in August 2022. They had previously chosen not to publicly reveal Frantzve’s pregnancy.
“Welcome to the world baby girl. We love you so much,” he wrote via Instagram. “Erika did so so well, praise God!”
When Kirk returned to his radio show the following Monday, he described the prior seven days as “a week that changed my life.”
“We welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world,” he told listeners.
Touching on his and Frantzve’s decision to keep quiet about her pregnancy, Kirk explained: “We did that for a variety of reasons, some being security, and also just being that it’s not about social media. In a world where everything is put on social media, where everything is constantly being posted and being talked about, we made a decision, my wife and I, to keep one thing rather private. And I’ll tell you, it was not easy.”
Second Child’s Birth
Kirk and Frantzve’s son was born in May 2024, with the political commentator once again announcing the news via Instagram.
“Glory be to God for the birth of our Son! Erika did so amazing, I am so proud of her,” he assured his followers.
Kirk shared a photo of both children in May 2025 — with their faces turned away from the camera — in honor of his son’s first birthday.
“Yesterday we celebrated our son’s 1st birthday! He has brought an infinite amount of joy and laughter into our lives,” he wrote via Instagram. “Being a parent is an incredible gift, made far better because I get to do it alongside @mrserikakirk.”
Charlie Kirk’s Parents
Kirk was raised in Arlington Heights, Illinois, by his mother, a mental health counselor, and his father, an architect.