Tiger Woods leans on kids Sam and Charlie for support as he announces family heartbreak

Tiger Woods took to social media to announce the passing of his mother Kultida Woods at the age of 78.

The pro golfer, 49, shared a statement on behalf of his family, including his two 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren with ex-wife Elin Nordegren, with news of her passing on the morning of Tuesday, February 4.

“It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning,” he wrote. “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.”

Tiger also mentioned how close she was to her two grand𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, his daughter Sam, 17, and his son Charlie, 15. “She was loved by so many, 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,” he tenderly concluded, capping off his tribute with a photograph of her. Tiger is the only 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 of the late U.S. Army infantry officer Earl and Kultida Woods, with the latter affectionately known as “Tida.”

The celebrated athlete was extremely close with his mother, who made several appearances with him over the years at various events and tournaments, and was very supportive of his career.

Tiger Woods – five surprising facts

Tiger isn’t his real name – he was 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 Eldrick Tont Woods. He was named after the first letter of his dad’s name, Earl, and his mother’s first initial, Kultida, at the end. Tont is also a traditional Thai name, where his mom is from.
He became known as Tiger after his dad started to use the moniker as his friend, Colonel Vuong Dang Phong – who served in the US Army alongside Earl – also went by ‘Tiger’.
Tiger is an avid gamer and is particularly fond of Call of Duty. He also plays basketball and soccer.
He attended Stanford University but left before he graduated to turn pro before the end of his degree.
Tiger was the first athlete to become a billionaire and now has an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion.

Most recently, when he was honored with the Bob Jones Award in 2024, the nation’s highest golfing honor, he paid tribute to his mother during the speech, who was in the audience with his 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren.

“My mom doesn’t get enough credit,” he said lovingly, speaking to her directly. “Everyone thought that it was my dad when I went on the road, which it was, but Mom was at home. If you don’t know, Mom has been there my entire life,” recalling all of the junior tournaments his mom drove him to.

“I look back at the stopwatch that started back in 1990, and especially in ’96, because there’s no other time that I had ever felt so much pressure to win one event as the last U.S. Amateur that I was ever going to play in, and the reason is Mom never came to any of my Juniors,” he continued.

“Mom never came to one of my Amateurs. She was wearing her Stanford shirt there at Pumpkin Ridge, and she was there for the first time. Now imagine if I had lost the d— thing, right? But when I made that winning putt, who was the first person that I hugged? Right, Mommy? It was you.”

“This award, I accept it in humbleness and just unbelievable regard for the past recipients, but I also accept it for my mommy, too. She allowed me to get here. She allowed me to do these things, chase my dreams, and the support and love — I didn’t do this alone. I had the greatest rock that any 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥 could possibly have: my mom. Thank you, Mommy.”