Charlie Kirk’s parents remained out of the spotlight prior to their son’s death.

The right-wing political activist thrust himself into the spotlight after founding Turning Point USA, an organization whose mission is “to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of fiscal responsibility, free markets, and limited government,” per its website. Over the past few years, Kirk traveled to different college campuses as part of the organization’s nationwide American Comeback Tour.

On Sept. 10, Kirk was in the middle of one of his signature tabling sessions at Utah Valley University, answering a student’s question about gun violence, when he was fatally shot. President Donald Trump announced his death on Truth Social shortly after the shooting.

Later that day, a Turning Point USA spokesperson confirmed the news in a statement shared with PEOPLE, asking everyone to “keep his family and loved ones in your prayers.”

From where they raised Kirk to their careers, here’s everything to know about Charlie Kirk’s parents.

They raised him in Illinois

According to NBC News, Kirk was born in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights on Oct. 14, 1993. His parents raised him primarily in Prospect Heights.

The political activist attended Wheeling High School, where he was involved in school activities such as the Eagle Scout Association and the marching band, per his LinkedIn. According to his profile, Kirk also played several sports, including football and basketball.

Following Kirk’s death, Arlington Heights mayor Jim Tinaglia released a statement, saying that the late activist had “deep ties to our community.”

His mother was a mental health counselor and his father was an architect

Kirk appeared to be the only big political figure in his family. According to NBC News, his mother was a mental health counselor. Meanwhile, his father was an architect whose firm designed the Trump Tower in New York City.

While Kirk’s career path put him into the spotlight, his parents live a more private life.

They raised him in a politically moderate household

Though Kirk built a reputation for himself as a right-wing conservative activist, he was raised by his parents in a politically moderate household, per The Guardian.

In high school, Kirk became an avid listener of conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh, per NBC News. He became more politically engaged as time went on, and launched a protest with a classmate in high school over the rising price of food in the cafeteria.

According to CNN, Kirk became a full-time conservative activist after dropping out of Harper College, a community college in Palatine, Ill. He went on to launch his own podcast, The Charlie Kirk Show, write several politics-related books and launch Turning Point USA. He also became a close ally of Trump and gave a speech at his January 2025 inauguration.

They are grandparents

Kirk’s mother and father became grandparents on Aug. 23, 2022, when he welcomed his first child with his wife, Erika. In May 2024, Kirk and his wife welcomed their second child, a son.

Kirk’s parents have not publicly commented on being grandparents, as they remain out of the spotlight.