Erika Kirk delivered an emotional speech at her husband Charlie Kirk’s memorial in Arizona, where she shared her grief and spoke of forgiveness. The 36-year-old widow recalled Charlie’s passion for inspiring young people and explained that her Christian faith has helped her find the strength to forgive. She quoted scripture, emphasizing love over anger, and said that forgiveness is what Charlie would have wanted.
Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, passed away earlier this month during a university tour event in Utah. At the memorial, thousands gathered to honor his life, including U.S. President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and many other public figures. The service had a special dress code of red, white, or blue instead of traditional black, symbolizing patriotism and Kirk’s legacy.
During her heartfelt speech, Erika described her final moments with Charlie at the hospital, saying she found peace in knowing he did not suffer. She shared tender memories, including a small personal detail — a single gray hair he never knew about — offering a glimpse of their private life together.
The memorial drew a large security presence due to the number of prominent attendees. As Erika’s words resonated with the audience, the event became not only a farewell to Charlie but also a call for healing, faith, and unity.