Savannah Chrisley gave insight into her budding friendship with Charlie Kirk and his wife, Erika Kirk (née Frantzve), prior to the conservative commentator’s death.
“Charlie gave me a voice to share my story, and I will forever be grateful for that,” Chrisley, 28, said on the Tuesday, September 16, episode of her “Unlocked” podcast, noting she had “just started to get to know” him after being brought into the Turning Point “family.”
Chrisley told her listeners that she is “heartbroken” over Charlie’s death after he was shot and killed on Wednesday, September 10, while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Charlie, who cofounded Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that promotes conservative politics on school campuses throughout America, was 31. He left behind two children, whom he shared with wife Erika, 36, someone that Chrisley said she hopes to emulate in her own life.
“I can’t help but think of Erika and the kids,” Chrisley said on Tuesday. “I text[ed] Erika when everything happened and I saw a [previous] text that she had sent me after I had spoken at a Turning Point conference.”
The Chrisleys: Back to Reality star called Erika “the epitome of a God-fearing, loving person, woman, mother.”
Chrisley then read the text, which was sent in June, revealing that Erika wrote, “I just wanted to say how proud I am of you. I told your mom backstage you have a massive anointing on your life. Great job tonight.”
Erika proceeded to text, “Just wanted to share these super sweet photos with you. God bless you. Continue to fix your eyes on Jesus. I’m very proud of you. If you need anything don’t ever hesitate to reach out.”
Chrisley paused before turning her attention back to her listeners.
“I don’t know about you guys, but that’s the type of woman that I want to be,” she revealed. “Lord knows I’m falling short, but Charlie’s death has lit a fire in me to be a better person.”
Elsewhere in the podcast, Chrisley praised Erika for her first public appearance following the shooting and while mourning her husband’s death.
“In her first speech, I was in shock. It was like a Jackie Kennedy moment,” Chrisley said. “She was so poised.”
The Chrisley Knows Best alum confessed, “I don’t know how she did it,” noting that Erika stood up and continued to “praise Jesus during the hardest time of her life.”
Chrisley said that in that moment, it “challenged” her to turn back to her own faith.
Two days after Charlie was killed, Erika took to social media for a live stream via her late husband’s X account.
She told his followers — and her own — on Friday, September 12, that “Charlie loved life. He loved his life, he loved America, he loved nature which always helped him [be] closer to God.”
Erika, who married Charlie in May 2021, recalled her spouse loving the Chicago Cubs “and my goodness did he love the Oregon Ducks.”
“Most of all Charlie loved his children and he loved me with all of his heart and I knew that everyday. He made sure I knew that everyday,” she said of their life with their daughter and son. “Everyday he would ask me, ‘How can I serve you better? How can I be a better husband? How can I be a better father?’ … He was a such a good man. He still is such a good man. He was the perfect father. He was the perfect husband.”
Erika concluded by vowing to Charlie that she would “never let [his] legacy die.” She added, “Oh, Charlie I love you. I love you baby. Rest in the arms of our lord as he blankets you with the words I know your heart always strives to hear. Well done my good and faithful servant.”
That same day, Erika posted a message via her Instagram, sharing photos of her holding Charlie’s hand and praying by his casket.
“They have no idea what they just ignited within this wife,” she wrote. “If they thought my husband’s mission was big now … you have no idea. You. All of you. Will never. Ever. Forget my husband @charliekirk1776. I’ll make sure of it.”