Tiger Woods has announced the death of his mother, Kultida Woods. She was 78.
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“It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning,” Tiger shared on social media on Tuesday.
“My Mom was a force of nature all her own, her spirit was simply undeniable. She was quick with the needle and a laugh. She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter, without her none of my personal achievements would have been possible.”
“She was loved by so many,” he continued, “but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie. Thank you all for your support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time for me and my family. Love you Mom.”
Kultida, known as “Tida,” was born in Thailand. She met Tiger’s father, Earl Woods, when he was stationed there with the Army in 1968. They married and had Tiger, their only child, in 1975.
Tiger Woods’ Parents, Earl and Kultida Woods, Were Both Instrumental in Shaping the Golfing Legend
When Tiger was inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame, he thanked both of his parents in his heartfelt speech. While Earl was the more visible figure on tour when he was a young prodigy, the golfing legend said both of his parents were instrumental in his success.
“At the age of 8, my mom during those tournament days was so supportive and so great,” he recalled. “She would [drop me off at the golf course and] give me 75 cents. So 75 cents would allow me to buy a hot dog, and then 25 cents would be used to use the pay phone to call her to come pick me up. If the pay phone swallowed it, I had a backup.”
Earl Woods died in 2006. While he has three children from his first marriage, Tiger was Kultida’s only child. Tiger and ex-wife Elin Nordegren shared two children, daughter Sam, 17, and son Charlie,13.