Erika Lane Kirk (née Frantzve; born November 20, 1988) is an American businesswoman and podcaster. She won Miss Arizona USA in 2012.[1] She founded Everyday Heroes Like You, a nonprofit supporting under-recognized charities, and hosts the Midweek Rise Up podcast.[2]
Kirk is the widow of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, with whom she had two children. They were married from 2021 until his death on September 10, 2025.[3]
Early life, education, and beauty pageants

Erika Lane Frantzve[4] was born on November 20, 1988[5] in Scottsdale, Arizona.[1] She was raised in a Catholic family, with her mother taking her to soup kitchens to help. She entered beauty pageants as a way to contribute to the community.[6] In 2006, she established Everyday Heroes Like You, a 501(c)(3) organization that she described as a way to "promote and highlight the everyday heroes in our communities who have a philanthropic desire to truly make a difference in the lives of others", with national programs.[7]
Kirk attended Notre Dame Preparatory High School in Scottsdale,[8] and later Arizona State University, where she studied political science and international relations.[1][9] At Notre Dame, she played basketball and volleyball, earning the Matt Arnold Sportsmanship and Teammate Awards.[8] She later played basketball on the women's team of Regis University in Denver, Colorado, for two years.[6]
She participated in the Miss Arizona USA 2012 pageant, which she won on her 23rd birthday, and then represented Arizona in Miss USA 2012,[6] but failed to place.
In 2017, she attended Liberty University, where she obtained a Juris Master degree and a doctorate in Christian leadership.[10][11]
Career and personal life
In 2019, she launched the podcast Midweek Rise Up.[2] Frantzve is the CEO of Proclaim Streetwear, a clothing brand,[9] and Bible in 365, a ministry project.[12] As of 2025, she works as a real estate agent at the Corcoran Group in New York City.[13]

Frantzve began dating Charlie Kirk in New York City in 2019[14] and got engaged in December 2020.[10] Charlie co-founded Turning Point USA, an American organization that advocates for conservative politics.[11] They married on May 8, 2021, in Scottsdale.[10] Turning Point funded a wedding reception, held at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess hotel, coinciding with the organization's ninth anniversary.[15] Erika was frequently seen at Charlie's events.[14]
On September 10, 2025, Erika's husband was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University, the first stop of his American Comeback tour.[16][17]
References
- "ASU senior wins Miss Arizona USA; UA senior runner-up". KOLD-TV. Mesa, Arizona. November 23, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Vaidyanathan, Vaishnavi (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk family: All on wife Erika Frantzve and children". Hindustan Times. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- "Who Is Charlie Kirk's Wife, Erika Frantzve & What Is Their Relationship History?". Yahoo Life. February 11, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Sommerlad, Joe (September 11, 2025). "What we know about Charlie Kirk's family". The Independent. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- Thakkar, Maitreyee (September 11, 2025). "How Erika Frantzve, former Miss Arizona, met Charlie Kirk and got married; their kids and what do we know about his family". The Economic Times. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
- Weinman, Cassandra (May 2012). "Erika Frantzve: more than just a pretty face". Arizona Foothills Magazine. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Brathwaite, Joanna. "AZ Giving Spotlight: Erika Frantzve of Everyday Heroes Like You". Arizona Foothills Magazine. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Willsey, Les (May 19, 2007). "Everyday heroes award: East Valley represented by 4 student-athletes". EastValley.com. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Walia, Gandharv (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk Present Condition and Family: Here's all about wife Erika Frantzve, children, chaotic scenes after attack and Utah Valley University shooting". The Economic Times. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Marin, Kate (November 22, 2022). "Who is Charlie Kirk's wife? His business savvy partner". The Netline. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Severns, Maggiel (December 14, 2020). "In final years at Liberty, Falwell spent millions on pro-Trump causes". Politico. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Civita, Alicia (September 10, 2025). "Who Is Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's Widow?". The Latin Times. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Cervantes Jr., Fernando (September 10, 2025). "What to know about Charlie Kirk's wife and family". USA Today. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Kindelan, Katie (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk's family: What to know about his wife Erika, 2 kids". ABC News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- Slodysko, Brian (January 11, 2024). "How Trump's MAGA movement helped a 29-year-old activist become a millionaire". Arizona Daily Star. Associated Press. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- "Charlie Kirk shooting: What we know about death of close Trump ally". BBC News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
- "Charlie Kirk: Trump ally shot dead at campus event in Utah". BBC News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.