Savannah Chrisley is reflecting on a friendship that had only just begun before tragedy struck.
On the Tuesday, September 16 episode of her Unlocked podcast, the 28-year-old opened up about how much the late Charlie Kirk and his wife, Erika, had already come to mean to her.
“Charlie gave me a voice to share my story, and I will forever be grateful for that,” she explained, sharing that she had “just started to get to know” the conservative activist after being welcomed into the Turning Point “family.”
Chrisley admitted she is “heartbroken” after Charlie was killed on September 10 while speaking at Utah Valley University. He was 31 years old and left behind his wife and their two small children.
“I can’t help but think of Erika and the kids,” Chrisley said, revealing she had texted Erika after the shooting and came across a message the 36-year-old had previously sent her. In June, Erika had written, “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.” She added, “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.”
Calling Erika “the epitome of a God-fearing, loving person, woman, mother,” Chrisley told her listeners, “that’s the type of woman that I want to be.”
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The reality star also praised Erika’s composure in the days following her husband’s death. “In her first speech, I was in shock. It was like a Jackie Kennedy moment. She was so poised,” Chrisley said, noting that Erika’s ability to “praise Jesus during the hardest time of her life” challenged her to strengthen her own faith.
Erika spoke about late husband in an Instagram tribute a few days later on September 12, promising, “The world is evil. But our savior. Our Lord. Our God. Не…Не is so good…I have no idea what any of this means. But baby I know you do and so does our Lord,” she wrote in the caption alongside photos of the family as well as Erika laying with Charlies body. “All of you. Will never. Ever. Forget my husband @charliekirk1776 I’ll make sure of it,” she promised.