Erika Kirk Marks 1st Valentine's Day Without Late Husband Charlie Kirk

Erika Kirk shares heartfelt love letter and urges followers to honor the Sabbath on the first Valentine's Day since her husband's death.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Erika Kirk, the widow of right-wing conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, is marking her first Valentine's Day without her late husband. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Erika shared a love letter from Charlie and urged her followers to honor the Sabbath and write love letters to their spouses. Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31 years old.

Why it matters

Erika Kirk's post highlights the profound grief and loss she is experiencing on the first Valentine's Day since her husband's tragic death. Her message encourages others to cherish their loved ones and make the most of the time they have together, as life can be unpredictable.

The details

In her Instagram post, Erika Kirk shared a photo of a love letter she received from her late husband Charlie, writing that she misses the 'depth of love' they shared and the 'sacred' words he would write to her. Charlie Kirk, the co-founder of the right-wing nonprofit Turning Point USA, was shot and killed in September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He was 31 years old. A 22-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with Charlie's murder and is currently being held without bail in a Utah jail.

  • Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in September 2025.
  • Erika Kirk is marking her first Valentine's Day without her late husband on February 14, 2026.

The players

Erika Kirk

The widow of right-wing conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, who has taken over as CEO of Turning Point USA, the nonprofit co-founded by her late husband.

Charlie Kirk

A 31-year-old right-wing conservative influencer and co-founder of the nonprofit Turning Point USA, who was shot and killed in September 2025 while speaking at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

22-year-old suspect

The individual who was arrested and charged with the murder of Charlie Kirk and is currently being held without bail in a Utah jail.

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What they’re saying

“What I would give for one more love letter… They had such a deep reverence about them. You'd intentionally set aside the noise of the world and hand me words that felt sacred filled with a depth of love both of us could never quite articulate.”

— Erika Kirk (Instagram)

“It's with a heavy heart that we, the Turning Point USA leadership team, write to notify you that early this afternoon, Charlie went to his eternal reward with Jesus Christ in heaven.”

— Turning Point USA (Statement)

What’s next

The 22-year-old suspect charged with Charlie Kirk's murder is currently being held without bail in a Utah jail. The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the suspect out on bail.

The takeaway

Erika Kirk's heartfelt message on the first Valentine's Day without her husband Charlie highlights the profound grief and loss that can come with the unexpected loss of a loved one. Her call to honor the Sabbath and write love letters to spouses serves as a poignant reminder to cherish the time we have with our loved ones, as life can be unpredictable.