Tuesday, September 16, 2025

Erika Lane Kirk

 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

Kirk as the Miss Arizona USA winner in 2012

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]

Erika and Charlie Kirk speaking together at an event in Texas in 2025

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

  1.  "ASU senior wins Miss Arizona USA; UA senior runner-up". KOLD-TV. Mesa, Arizona. November 23, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  2.  Vaidyanathan, Vaishnavi (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk family: All on wife Erika Frantzve and children". Hindustan Times. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  3.  "Who Is Charlie Kirk's Wife, Erika Frantzve & What Is Their Relationship History?". Yahoo Life. February 11, 2025. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  4.  Sommerlad, Joe (September 11, 2025). "What we know about Charlie Kirk's family". The Independent. Retrieved September 11, 2025.
  5.  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.
  6.  Weinman, Cassandra (May 2012). "Erika Frantzve: more than just a pretty face". Arizona Foothills Magazine. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  7.  Brathwaite, Joanna. "AZ Giving Spotlight: Erika Frantzve of Everyday Heroes Like You". Arizona Foothills Magazine. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  8.  Willsey, Les (May 19, 2007). "Everyday heroes award: East Valley represented by 4 student-athletes". EastValley.com. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  9.  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.
  10.  Marin, Kate (November 22, 2022). "Who is Charlie Kirk's wife? His business savvy partner". The Netline. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  11.  Severns, Maggiel (December 14, 2020). "In final years at Liberty, Falwell spent millions on pro-Trump causes". Politico. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  12.  Civita, Alicia (September 10, 2025). "Who Is Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's Widow?". The Latin Times. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  13.  Cervantes Jr., Fernando (September 10, 2025). "What to know about Charlie Kirk's wife and family". USA Today. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  14.  Kindelan, Katie (September 10, 2025). "Charlie Kirk's family: What to know about his wife Erika, 2 kids". ABC News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  15.  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.
  16.  "Charlie Kirk shooting: What we know about death of close Trump ally". BBC News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.
  17.  "Charlie Kirk: Trump ally shot dead at campus event in Utah". BBC News. Retrieved September 10, 2025.



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