Charlie Kirk often pointed to his wife, Erika Kirk, and their children as examples of the conservative ideals he sought to uphold.
Ms. Kirk, a former Miss Arizona, hosts her own podcast and appeared at events with her husband, where she discussed the role of Christian faith in their marriage and family. She has a faith-based streetwear brand and is studying for a doctorate in Biblical Studies at Liberty University, according to her website.
”My husband, Charlie Kirk, is a force,” she said during an Arizona rally in May while introducing him as a speaker. “He is bold when the world demands silence.” She had described Mr. Kirk as “the spiritual head of the family” and the “love of her life.”
It was not immediately clear whether Ms. Kirk, 36, and their children had attended the event at Utah Valley University where Mr. Kirk was shot. One Republican lawmaker, Senator Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma, said on X that they were there.
Shortly after Mr. Kirk was shot, Ms. Kirk shared a Bible verse on X. “Psalm 46:1 — God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble,” she wrote. She had shared verses the two previous days and it was unclear whether the post had been scheduled. She has not said anything publicly since.
The couple told young conservative women in June at a conference for Turning Point USA, Mr. Kirk’s organization, that they should prioritize marriage.
“Having a family will change your life in the best ways, so get married and have kids. You won’t regret it,” he said in a social media post in late August.
Ms. Kirk, from Scottsdale, Ariz., graduated from Arizona State University and won the Miss Arizona USA title for 2012. The pair began dating in 2018, and Mr. Kirk said he knew “almost immediately” that they would marry. “I met her and we had a very, very long dinner, which was very close to almost an interview,” he said.
They married in 2021 and had two children: a one-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. Citing their desire for privacy, the Kirks did not reveal their names.
“Second to accepting Jesus, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made,” Mr. Kirk said of marrying Mrs. Kirk. He made the comment in May to mark their fourth anniversary.
Public figures, including President Trump and top Democrats and Republicans, condemned the killing of Mr. Kirk on Wednesday and offered condolences to his family.
“We don’t yet know what motivated the person who shot and killed Charlie Kirk, but this kind of despicable violence has no place in our democracy,” said former President Barack Obama. He added that he would be praying for Ms. Kirk and her children.
Isabella Kwai is a Times reporter based in London, covering breaking news and other trends.
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