Charlie Kirk's widow shares one of his final photos: ‘Pray you’ve had the most amazing week in heaven'

Erika Kirk's post comes just a week after Charlie Kirk was allegedly gunned down by Tyler Robinson at Utah Valley University in Orem
UPDATED SEP 18, 2025
Charlie Kirk's widow Erika Kirk took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute a week after his shooting death (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Charlie Kirk's widow Erika Kirk took to Instagram to share a heartfelt tribute a week after his shooting death (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

OREM, UTAH: Charlie Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, shared one of the last snapshots of the Turning Point USA founder before his shocking murder in Utah.

The post comes just a week after the conservative firebrand, 31, was allegedly gunned down by Tyler Robinson on September 10 during a student Q&A at Utah Valley University in Orem.

The shooting went down around 12.20 pm local time, leaving the packed campus crowd horrified.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by E. (@mrserikakirk)


 

Erika Kirk reminisces about her late husband

On Instagram, Erika Kirk uploaded a photo of Charlie Kirk standing in front of a large audience, sporting a white T-shirt emblazoned with the word “Freedom.”

She poured out her grief alongside the image. “You loved witnessing excellence. It’s why you loved sports so much. You loved watching the best of the best perform at the level of greatness God intended for them.”

She then took followers back to their early days of dating.

“When we first started dating, we went to the basketball court to shoot around. I loved seeing you in that element because time was irrelevant. It was just us, the sound of sneakers squeaking and jump shots," she remembered. "We bonded over how Jordan was the GOAT and you told me about your basketball days in high school and I told you about my basketball days in college. Just two athletes escaping the demands of the world for a minute.”

Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his 'American Comeback Tour' when he was shot in the neck and killed (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

The grieving widow also revealed a small but powerful memory. It was the red bracelet that the Turning Point USA founder never took off. “I remember seeing on your wrist a red bracelet. You never took it off, it said ‘work harder, be better.’ And everyday you did just that,” she recalled.

Years later, Charlie passed the bracelet on to a student after an event. Erika added, “I have no idea who that student was or where they are today, but I have no doubt they’re working harder and being better, because you set the tone.”

She also revealed that the photo she shared was “one of the last pictures taken” before the conservative activist's death. "I can’t help but see excellence,” Erika wrote. “You’re in your element. You’re in athlete mode. Training for this exact moment, mind, body, and soul. To me, this is your ‘Jordan’ photo. Permanently etched in time, held in my heart, as I admire your greatness. Forever.”

She concluded, “I pray you’ve had the most amazing week in Heaven @charliekirk1776 I love you.”

Erika Kirk shares her 'favorite love story'

The post followed another emotional tribute just days earlier, when Erika Kirk shared a video of Charlie Kirk telling their daughter the story of how he and Erika first met. “… my favorite love story,” she captioned the clip.

In the video, Charlie had his little girl on his lap as he began, “Storytime. We’re here at Bill’s Burgers in New York City. Right near this very table was the first time that I met Mama.”

He continued, “It started as a job interview. I was asking all these questions, asking all these questions, philosophy, religion, Jesus. Then I realized Mama was beautiful and smart and elegant and Christlike. I said, Forget this job interview. I. I said, I have enough friends. That’s where your journey started.”


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by E. (@mrserikakirk)


 

Erika, who shares a one-year-old son and three-year-old daughter with Charlie, also made a tearful vow during a broadcast from Turning Point USA’s Arizona headquarters days after the killing. “You have no idea the fire that you have ignited within this wife; the cries of this widow will echo around the world like a battle cry,” she declared.

In her September 12 remarks, she revealed the gut-wrenching conversation she had with their daughter after returning home.

“When I got home last night, our daughter just ran into my arms … and she said, ‘Mommy, I missed you.’ I said, ‘I missed you too, baby.’ She goes, ‘Where’s daddy?’” Erika recounted. “What do you tell a three-year-old? She’s three. I said, ‘Baby, daddy loves you so much. Don’t you worry. He’s on a work trip with Jesus so he can afford your blueberry budget.’”

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