The news of Charlie Kirk’s death on September 10, 2025, hit the political world like a freight train. One minute he was sitting under a white tent at Utah Valley University for a "Prove Me Wrong" debate, and the next, a single shot from a rooftop changed everything. It was a political assassination that left the MAGA movement without one of its loudest megaphones. But away from the cameras, the podcasts, and the massive rallies at State Farm Stadium, there was a much quieter tragedy.
Charlie was only 31. He left behind a wife, Erika Frantzve, and two very small children who are now growing up in a world that only knows their father as a headline or a "martyr."
The Kids Charlie Kirk Left Behind
Honestly, it's hard to wrap your head around how young these kids are. At the time of the shooting in Orem, Utah, the Kirks had a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son.
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Their daughter, Sarah Rose, was born in August 2022. Just a month before her father was killed, Erika had posted a touching tribute for her third birthday, mentioning the "48 hours of labor" and the "emergency C-section" it took to bring her into the world. Their son followed in May 2024. He had literally just celebrated his first birthday a few months before the tragedy.
Kirk was always a bit of a lightning rod for controversy. You either loved him or you couldn't stand him. But he was surprisingly private about his home life. He once told his audience, "We have a girl and a boy and it’s no one’s business what their names are or their faces." He wanted to keep them out of the meat grinder of social media. Of course, after he died, that privacy became a lot harder to maintain as the world’s eyes turned toward his widow.
Life After September 10th
What happens to a family after a "dark day" like that? Utah Governor Spencer Cox called it a national tragedy, and Donald Trump eventually awarded Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom. But medals don't help a toddler understand why her dad isn't coming home.
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Erika Kirk has stepped into a role she probably never imagined. She’s now the CEO of Turning Point USA, taking over the organization her husband built from the ground up. It’s a massive job. She’s balancing the legacy of a man who reached millions while raising two kids who are still in diapers and pull-ups.
- The Daughter: Born August 2022. She’s now roughly three and a half.
- The Son: Born May 2024. He’s just coming up on his second birthday.
In late 2025, Erika gave a tearful address, vowing that she would "never let his legacy die." For the kids, that legacy is mostly photos and videos. Since Charlie spent so much of his life on camera, they’ll eventually have thousands of hours of footage to watch. That’s a strange way to get to know a parent, basically watching a digital ghost.
The Reality of Being a "Martyr's" Child
There is a lot of noise surrounding the legal side of things. The alleged assassin, Tyler Robinson, is facing trial, and the news cycle is constantly churning out updates about FBI protection and "vigilante" social media posts.
But for the kids, the reality is much smaller. It’s about the "intentional husband" and "spiritual head of the family" that people mentioned in his obituary. They are growing up in Scottsdale, Arizona, surrounded by a tight-knit circle, including Erika’s mother, Lori Frantzve, who has been a pillar for the family.
People often argue about Kirk’s politics—his stance on the Civil Rights Act or his "Christian Nationalism" rhetoric. But when you look at the kids, all that noise fades out. You’ve just got two children who lost their father before they were old enough to really remember his voice in person.
What Most People Get Wrong
A lot of folks think that because Charlie was so public, his kids were always in the spotlight. That’s just not true. He was fiercely protective. He didn't want them to be "influencer kids." Even now, Erika keeps their faces mostly blurred or hidden in photos. She's trying to give them a normal life in a very abnormal situation.
The estate is also a factor. Between his books, the "Charlie Kirk Show," and his leadership at TPUSA, there is a significant financial legacy, but Erika has made it clear that her primary focus is the "mission."
Moving Forward
If you’re looking for a way to understand the impact of Charlie Kirk's death on his family, look at the silence. While the political world screams about who's to blame, the family has largely retreated to find their footing.
If you want to stay informed on the legal proceedings or the future of TPUSA under Erika's leadership, the best thing to do is follow official updates from the organization rather than the rumor mill on X (formerly Twitter). The trial of Tyler Robinson will likely bring more details to light in the coming months, but for the Kirk children, the most important work is happening behind closed doors, away from the headlines.
Actionable Insight: For those following the transition of leadership at Turning Point USA, Erika Kirk’s podcast, Midweek Rise Up, is currently the most direct source for how the family and the organization are navigating this new era.