Tiger Woods announced the passing of his mother, Kultida Woods, on Tuesday morning. “With heartfelt sadness, I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning,” he wrote on X. “She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter. Without her, none of my personal achievements would have been possible.” He added that she was especially loved by her grandchildren, Sam and Charlie.
Kultida met Woods’ father, Earl, in Thailand in 1966 during his Vietnam War service. They married in Brooklyn three years later. Earl passed away in 2006.
Tiger once called his mother “the enforcer,” describing her as strict and demanding. “There was zero negotiation,” he said in 2017, adding, “I love her so much, but she was tough.”
She was present for many of Woods’ milestones, including receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2019 and his World Golf Hall of Fame induction in 2022.
“Thank you all for your support, prayers, and privacy at this difficult time,” Woods concluded. “Love you, Mom.”