Meet Erika Kirk, the woman who forgave her husband’s killer

Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was recently shot and killed, shared a powerful message at her husband’s memorial service.

“That young man—I forgive him,” Erika said with tears in her eyes during the event at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Her words were met with applause from the crowd.

She added, “I forgive him because that’s what Jesus did, and that’s what Charlie would do. Hate isn’t the answer. The gospel teaches us to love, even love our enemies and those who hurt us.”

Last week, prosecutors charged 22-year-old Tyler Robinson with murder. According to officials, Robinson told his roommate that he shot Charlie because he “had had enough of his hatred.”

Who is Erika Kirk?

Erika Kirk is 36 years old and grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, in a Catholic family. After her parents divorced, she was raised by her mother. She went to Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale, later studied at Regis University in Denver, and then earned a political science and international relations degree from Arizona State University.

She also holds a degree in American legal studies from Liberty University and is now working on a doctorate in Biblical studies. In 2012, she was crowned Miss Arizona USA and also played college basketball.

Erika married Charlie Kirk in May 2021. Together, they have two children: a daughter born in August 2022 and a son born in May 2024. She is known for her traditional views on gender roles and marriage, often stressing that family should come before career, which aligns with conservative values.

Following Charlie’s death earlier this month, Erika became the CEO and chair of Turning Point USA, the youth organization Charlie founded. She continues to promote conservative causes, focusing on family values and biblical womanhood.

Politically, Erika is very conservative, similar to her late husband. She supports traditional roles for women, including being supportive and submissive to husbands, and is connected to the “traditional wife movement.” She also runs a Christian clothing line and a devotional podcast, making her an influential voice in the conservative movement.

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