Summary:
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Eight days after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Erika Kirk becomes CEO of Turning Point USA, pledging to continue his mission.
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Erika Kirk, a former NCAA Division I basketball player and Miss Arizona USA, holds multiple degrees and founded faith-based initiatives.
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Leading Turning Point USA with over 3,500 chapters, Erika faces the challenge of carrying forward her late husband’s mission.
Eight days after Charlie Kirk’s assassination, his wife Erika Kirk was named CEO and chair of Turning Point USA. Following his death on September 10, 2025, she addressed the nation in a tearful speech, pledging to carry on his mission and turning her grief into a message of resolve and hope. The board’s decision followed a succession plan Charlie had requested.
Born Erika Lane Frantzve in 1988, she grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, and excelled in academics, athletics, and public service. A former NCAA Division I basketball player and Miss Arizona USA, she holds dual degrees in political science and international relations, a Juris Master, and is pursuing a doctorate in Biblical Studies. Erika also founded multiple faith-based initiatives and nonprofits, eventually meeting Charlie Kirk, whom she called “the perfect husband.”
Now leading Turning Point USA while raising their two young children, Erika continues the organization’s campus tours, AmericaFest, and media programs. With over 3,500 chapters and surging interest after Charlie’s death, she faces the challenge of carrying forward his mission while shaping the organization’s future.
