Following the tragic loss of her husband, Amanda Kloots has extended a message of optimism to Charlie Kirk‘s widow, Erika Kirk.
In an exclusive preview of the September 23rd episode of Richard Taite’s podcast, “We’re Out of Time,” featured in Us Weekly, Kloots, now 43, recalled some poignant guidance she received from the family of her late husband, Nick Cordero.
“When Nick was in the hospital, my late mother-in-law told me, ‘[Your son] Elvis will save you, and his smile every day will make you want to get up and live.’ It resonated,” Kloots reflected in the upcoming episode. “And that’s the advice I would give [Erika] — your kids are your purpose.”
Cordero, who shared a son named Elvis, now six, with Kloots, succumbed in July 2020 due to complications from COVID-19, at just 41 years of age.
Kloots articulated the confusion and uncertainty that can follow such losses, saying, “You often find yourself questioning your purpose and asking, ‘Why did this happen?’ When Nick passed, I told him, ‘I will be the best mom to our son. I will show him the world.’”
During the recording of this podcast episode on September 17—his birthday—Kloots became emotional, expressing the weight of remembering her spouse.
In a supportive moment, Taite acknowledged Kloots’s strength, stating, “It’s a tough day, but you are clearly a wonderful mother. Your son is your world, and you’re honoring your husband’s memory. He would be incredibly proud of you.”
Over the past weekend, a public memorial service was held for Charlie at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, which saw Erika, 36, deliver a profoundly touching eulogy. In an emotional moment, she publicly forgave her husband’s killer, declaring, “I forgive him because it’s what Christ would do, and it’s what Charlie would do. The response to hate is not hate; it is love, always love, even for our enemies.”
Charlie was tragically shot and killed during a speaking event at Utah Valley University on September 10. He was 31.
Tyler Robinson stands accused of the crime and is currently being held without bail in the Utah County Jail.
While Erika continues to process her grief, Kloots expresses her gratitude for the bonds she’s formed with fellow widows.
“I was just discussing with a dear widow friend about how challenging birthdays can be,” Kloots shared. “She validated my feelings, and I have another widow friend I’m meeting for a walk tomorrow. I call these our ‘widow walks.’”
Kloots proposed an alternative title for widows, reflecting on the term’s etymology, which suggests sadness and solitude. “While it’s true that many widows experience profound sadness and loneliness, they are also remarkably strong and resilient. I’ve come to think of them as ‘rennovars,’ meaning ‘powering forward.’”
To catch more insights from Kloots, be sure to tune into the “We’re Out of Time” podcast on Tuesday, September 23, at 12 p.m. PT, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.
