Erika Kirk spoke at a memorial service two weeks after the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, 31, who was shot on September 10 during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. The service at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, drew thousands, including Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Elon Musk.

Her half-hour tribute, often through tears, mixed grief with faith. She described seeing her husband after his death: “His eyes were semi-open and he had this knowing, Mona Lisa-like half-smile. Like he’d died happy. Like Jesus rescued him.” Doctors assured her his passing was instantaneous, which she called “a great mercy from God in this tragedy.”

Erika revealed a small secret she had kept from Charlie: “I saw the one, single grey hair on the side of his head, which I never told him about. Now he knows. Sorry, baby, I’m telling you now.”

She also extended forgiveness to the 22-year-old suspect, saying: “He (Charlie) wanted to save young men. Just like the one who took his life. I forgive him because it was what Christ did. And what Charlie would do.”

For Erika and their two children, public mourning has blended with private love and the resolve to continue Charlie’s mission.