Charlie Kirk was a well-known American political activist, author, and media figure, born on October 14, 1993, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He became famous for starting a group called Turning Point USA when he was just 18, which encouraged young people to get involved in conservative politics. Charlie used social media and public events to spread his beliefs, and he was known for debating big topics like free speech, gun rights, and religion.
Charlie Kirk lost his life in a tragic shooting on September 10, 2025, while speaking at a university event. His death has caused discussions about political violence in America, with many leaders saying that disagreements should be handled peacefully and never with harm. Charlie left behind a wife and two children, making his passing not only a national event but also a personal tragedy for his family. Even though people had different opinions about what he stood for, it’s clear that he made a big impact on American politics and inspired many young people to speak up for what they believe.
| Full Name | Charles James Kirk |
| Date of Birth | October 14, 1993 |
| Place of Birth | Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA |
| Date of Death | September 10, 2025 |
| Age at Death | 31 years |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Ethnicity | White (Caucasian) |
| Education | Attended Harper College (did not graduate) |
| Family | Wife: Erika Kirk Children: Two (one son, one daughter) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Career | Political activist, author, media personality |
| Organizations | Founder & CEO of Turning Point USA; Founder of Turning Point Action & Turning Point Faith |
| Key Movements | Conservative youth outreach, Trump ally, MAGA movement, Christian nationalism |
| Podcast | The Charlie Kirk Show |
| Books Authored | Four (including a New York Times bestseller) |
| Online Presence | Over 1.7 million Instagram followers 5.6 million on X (Twitter) ~8M TikTok followers |
| Net Worth | Estimated to be over $2 million, primarily from TPUSA salary and related ventures |
| Major Achievements | Forbes ’30 Under 30′; national speaker; major influencer in youth conservative politics |
| Timeline: Major Events/Controversies | * 2012: Launches Turning Point USA at age 18 * 2016: Gains national attention for campus activism * 2019: Faces criticism for political rhetoric and confrontational campus events * 2020: Vocal supporter of Donald Trump and critic of COVID-19 lockdowns * 2021: Draws controversy for election fraud claims and far-right alliances * 2023: Expands Turning Point network, faces more protests at speeches * 2025: Shot and killed at a university event; national debate over political |
| Cause of Death | Shot and killed during a campus event at Utah Valley University |
His Career
#Early Start
Charlie was interested in politics from a young age and helped with campaigns when he was a teenager.
After high school, he decided not to finish college so he could focus on working in politics full time.
#Turning Point USA
At only 18 years old, Charlie started a group called Turning Point USA (TPUSA) with the help of a mentor.
TPUSA’s main goal was to get more young people involved in talking about government, business, and freedom.
TPUSA set up clubs in colleges and high schools all across America where students could meet, share opinions, and listen to famous conservative speakers.
Charlie became famous for speaking at big events, running lively debates, and using social media very well.
#Media and Messages
He hosted a podcast called The Charlie Kirk Show that reached lots of young people.
Charlie often spoke about the ideas he believed in, like free speech, gun rights, and his Christian faith.
Sometimes his views were very strong or controversial—people argued about what he said, but he never stopped sharing his thoughts.
#Influence and Legacy
Under Charlie, TPUSA grew into one of the biggest political groups for young conservatives in the country.
He helped many young people feel more confident about joining in political conversations and voting.
Charlie Kirk’s Wife, Children & Family
Charlie Kirk was married to Erika Kirk (née Frantzve). They got married on May 8, 2021, in Arizona.
Erika Kirk is a former Miss Arizona USA and also a businesswoman and podcaster. She studies Christian leadership and runs faith-based projects and organizations.
Together, they had two young children: a daughter who turned 3 in August 2025, and a son who turned 1 in May 2025.
The couple shared glimpses of their family life on social media, but kept their children’s identities private.