Who is Erika Kirk, former beauty queen and widow of slain Trump aide Charlie Kirk? She is now CEO of...
Erika Kirk is a businesswoman, podcaster and a former beauty queen who married prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in May 2021.
Erika Kirk had married Charlie Kirk in May 2021. (File)
Erika Kirk, the widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has been appointed as the new CEO and Chair of the Board of Turning Point USA, a non-profit organization co-founded by her late husband that advocates for conservative politics in US schools and varsities. As per a statement issued Thursday, Turning Point USA said Erika was unanimously picked by the board following the assassination of her husband Charlie Kirk on September 10.
"Charlie prepared all of us for a moment like this one. He worked tirelessly to ensure Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests. And now, it is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA," it said.
Who is Erika Kirk?
Born and raised in Arizona, Erika Kirk is a businesswoman, podcaster and a former beauty queen who married prominent right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in May 2021. In 2012, Erika was crowned Miss Arizona, and has also worked as a model, actor, and casting director, as well as playing collegiate basketball for Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Erika Kirk holds a bachelor's degree Political Science and International Relations from the Arizona State University, a Juris Masters degree from Liberty University, as well as a Doctorate in Christian Leadership.
The 36-year-old former Miss Arizona is the founder of 'Everyday Heroes Like You', a nonprofit working to boost under-recognized charities, and works as a real-estate agent with The Corcoran Group in New York City. She is also a podcaster, and hosts 'Midweek Rise Up', an 'inspirational' podcast popular among conservative audiences in the US.
Additionally, Erika Kirk owns the faith-based fashion brand PROCLAIM Streetwear.
Charlie Kirk assassination
Last week, Erika's husband, Charlie Kirk, a prominent 31-year-old right-wing activist and close aide of US President Donald Trump, was fatally shot when he was addressing a students at the Utah Valley University where a large crowd had gathered under a canopy marked "Prove Me Wrong", a trademark slogan used by Kirk.
Kirk's assassination, which was carried out in broad daylight, was captured on camera, with videos of the incident capturing a single gunshot cutting through the air as he fielded questions on gun violence. The activist is seen clutching his neck as blood gushes out of the bullet wound, before collapsing on the floor as panicked spectators flee the scene, the videos showed.
According to law enforcement officers, the shooter fired a single round the rooftop of a nearby building, using what was later identified as a Mauser 30-06 bolt-action rifle, which was founded dumped in wooded area near a campus car park. Investigators also found palm prints on the gun, believed to belong to the suspect.
Who killed Charlie Kirk?
On September 11, authorities arrested Tyler Robinson, in what was later described as a lone-wolf act. The 22-year-old suspect was arrested after his father told the police his son had confessed. Later, Trump said Robinson should face the death penalty.
Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray has charged Robinson with aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and other offences. Robinson is being held without bail at Utah County Jail. Gray confirmed he will seek the death penalty, according to CBS News.
Following Kirk's killing, US law enforcement agencies had launched one of the country's largest coordinated manhunts in recent history, involving over 20 agencies and hundreds of LEA officers, assisted by more than 7,000 public tips.
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