The Heartbreaking Journey of Kultida Woods: Tiger Woods’ Indomitable Mother

Kultida Woods, the mother of renowned golfer Tiger Woods, faced numerous challenges in her life before she passed away at the age of 81 on February 4, 2025. Her journey began with a lonely childhood and continued through the heartache of losing her husband, Earl Woods, to cancer. Known affectionately as Tida, she was a resilient figure with a vibrant spirit. Tiger took to X (previously Twitter) to commemorate her, describing her as a “force of nature,” highlighting her strength and humor. He shared how deeply she was loved, especially by her grandchildren, Sam and Charlie.

Tida was widely recognized as Tiger’s most fervent supporter, often seen at his tournaments wearing her signature red outfit and wide-brimmed hat. “She was my biggest fan, greatest supporter,” Tiger expressed. “Without her, none of my achievements would have been possible.” However, beneath her sunny demeanor lay a life of hardship, which paints a more complex picture of Tida Woods.

Kultida Woods was born on September 30, 1944, in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, where she was the youngest of four children. Her parents divorced when she was just five, leading to a turbulent childhood. In a 2009 interview with Golf Digest, she reflected on the difficulties of her early years, revealing her time in boarding school where she felt neglected and isolated, never receiving visits from her family. “I felt abandoned,” she candidly admitted.

After her mother remarried, Tida found it challenging to fit into her family, feeling overshadowed by her younger siblings. Lacking parental love and affection, particularly from her father, who never expressed warmth towards her, Tida vowed to provide her son Tiger with the love she had missed as a child. Following the deaths of her parents, she struggled to connect with her remaining siblings. Yet, Tida reflected on her past with a sense of closure, stating, “What happened, it’s over.”

Kultida crossed paths with Earl Woods while working as a receptionist on a U.S. Army base in Thailand during the Vietnam War, unaware that he was still married with children. After a year of dating, she moved to the U.S. with him after his divorce, and they married in 1969. Their son, Tiger, was born in 1975.

Sadly, Tida’s marriage did not live up to her hopes; Earl was not only verbally abusive but also unfaithful. His behavior was often reckless, with accounts from Tiger’s biography describing their household as chaotic, filled with infidelity and substance abuse. Earl’s lifestyle deeply impacted Tida, marking a troubled chapter in her life.