Charlie Kirk's wife, Erika Frantzve, has broken her silence on the death of her husband two days after he was gunned down in Utah. The Conservative commentator and right-wing activist was assassinated on September 10 during an event at Utah Valley University for his American Comeback Tour. Now Erika, 36, has paid tribute to her late husband with an emotional statement to the nation.
Erika appeared in a YouTube livestream on Friday night to remember her "perfect" husband and began by thanking law enforcement and first responders who were at the scene, before tearfully thanking President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Usha. Speaking of her late husband, she said: "Two days ago, my husband Charlie went home to see the face of his savior and his God. Charlie always said that when he was gone, he wanted to be remembered for his courage and for his faith."
© Getty ImagesFondly remembering her husband, Erika said: "Charlie loved life. He loved his life, he loved America, he loved nature, which always helped him closer to God. He loved the Chicago Cubs, and my goodness did he love the Oregon Ducks. Most of all, Charlie loved his children, and he loved me with all of his heart, and I knew that every day.
"He made sure I knew that every day," she continued. "Every day, he would ask me, 'How can I serve you better? How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better father?' … He was such a good man. He still is such a good man. He was the perfect father. He was the perfect husband."
Addressing her late husband directly, Erika said: "Charlie baby, Charlie, I promise I will never let your legacy die, baby, I won't. Oh, Charlie, I love you. I love you, baby. Rest in the arms of our lord as he blankets you with the words I know your heart always strives to hear. Well done, my good and faithful servant."
© YouTubeErika recalled how she broke the news of her husband's death to their three-year-old daughter. She said: "When I got home last night, Gigi, our daughter, just ran into my arms and I talked to her and she said, 'Mommy, I miss you' and I said I miss you too, baby and she goes, 'Where's daddy?' How do you tell a three-year-old? She's three. And I said, 'Daddy loves you so much, baby, he's on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.'"
Erike vowed, "No one will ever forget my husband's name, and I will make sure of it. My husband’s mission will never end," before closing her speech by promising to "never let [his] legacy die." She added: "I can't wait to see you again, one day."
His family
© InstagramCharlie — who was a close ally of Donald Trump — leaves behind Erika and their two children, a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son. They kept their children's names and faces off social media to protect their privacy. "We have a girl and a boy, and it's no one's business what their names are or their faces," he said in a video from June.
Charlie and Erika got married in 2021, three years after they met at a Turning Point USA event. Charlie established the organization which was credited by the president for helping to swing young voters towards the Republican party.
Tributes
Erika's tribute comes after politicians and celebrities from both sides of the political spectrum, sent condolences over his death. Barack Obama took to X to write: We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy. Michelle and I will be praying for Charlie’s family tonight, especially his wife Erika and their two young children.
© WireImageKamala Harris mirrored the statement: "I am deeply disturbed by the shooting in Utah. Doug and I send our prayers to Charlie Kirk and his family," the Democratic Party's 2024 presidential nominee, wrote on X. "Let me be clear: Political violence has no place in America. I condemn this act, and we all must work together to ensure this does not lead to more violence."
Vice President JD Vance called Kirk "a genuinely good guy and a young father" and urged prayers in after the horrific shooting.
© Getty ImagesMaria Shriver wrote: "This is a violent act of hate that we all must denounce, all of us, regardless of party. This is reprehensible, horrendous violence that affects each and every one of us."
Bernie Sanders also offered his words after the assassination and wrote on Instagram: "Political violence has no place in this country. We must condemn this horrific attack. My thoughts are with Charlie Kirk and his family."
