Charlie Kirk's Son Just Turned One — Now He'll Grow Up Without A Father: 10 Family Photos Before Tragedy

One year of life, now without a father.

Charlie Kirk, conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was fatally shot on 10 September 2025 during a speaking engagement at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31. He is survived by his wife, Erika Frantzve Kirk, their daughter born in August 2022, and a son born in May 2024, who had just turned one at the time of his father's death.

Their story, once defined by milestones and family celebrations, is now marked by grief and absence.

A Marriage Rooted in Shared Beliefs

Charlie and Erika began their relationship in 2018, a period when his political profile was rising nationally. In December 2020, they became engaged, and the couple wed in May 2021. The ceremony was relatively private, consistent with their shared desire to protect personal life from political spotlight.

Erika, who previously held the title of Miss Arizona USA, also carved out a professional life as a podcast host, entrepreneur and philanthropist. She launched "Midweek Rise Up", a Christian-focused podcast, and has long been involved in faith-based work. Friends and colleagues often described their marriage as a partnership rooted in shared Christian values.

The couple's faith was central to their union. Charlie frequently spoke of family and marriage in religious terms, once describing children as 'a gift from the Lord' and fatherhood as 'good and godly'.

Parenthood: A Daughter and a Son

The Kirks welcomed their first child, a daughter, in August 2022. Their son followed in May 2024. At the time of Charlie's death, their daughter had just celebrated her third birthday, and their son had marked his first.

Despite his prominence, Charlie worked to maintain his children's privacy. He made a deliberate choice not to share their names or faces publicly, once explaining: 'We have a girl and a boy, and it's no one's business what their names are or their faces'.

Still, his affection for his children came through in remarks and rare glimpses of family life. On Father's Day 2025, Erika posted a tribute praising him as 'the most intentional husband and daddy', sharing a video of him buying their daughter a doll.

For their son's first birthday in May 2025, Charlie reflected on the joy of parenthood, describing how his children had brought 'an infinite amount of joy and laughter' into his life.

The Sudden Loss and Its Impact

On 10 September 2025, Charlie Kirk was manning a "Prove Me Wrong" booth at Utah Valley University when he was shot in the neck. Despite immediate medical intervention, he died from his injuries.

The shock reverberated nationally. Politicians, fellow conservatives and even critics expressed condolences.

For Erika, the loss is both public and personal. She now faces raising two very young children alone, a challenge compounded by the intense scrutiny that follows high-profile tragedies.

Friends and colleagues emphasized that Kirk's family was central to his life. Matt Lamb, a former Turning Point USA official and close friend, told reports: 'He loved his wife and loved his kids... You could just tell about the way he talked about them.'

While Charlie Kirk was best known for his role in shaping young conservative movements, his family may ultimately stand as his most important legacy. His children will grow up with stories, photographs and the words of a father who openly cherished them but who cannot be present for their future milestones.

His son, just one year old, will never remember his father's voice or presence directly. His daughter, only three, may carry faint memories, but the burden of memory will largely fall on Erika and those closest to the family.