Kultida Woods, Mother of Tiger Woods, Passes Away at 80: ‘She Was My Greatest Supporter’
Correction/clarification: A previous version of this report mistakenly listed Kultida Woods’ age at her passing. She was 80 years old.
Kultida Woods, the mother of golf legend Tiger Woods, has passed away, as announced by her son on Tuesday.
She was 80 years old, and the cause of her passing has not been disclosed.
In a heartfelt social media tribute, Woods referred to his mother as his “foremost supporter,” adding, “Without her, none of my personal successes would have been possible.” Just last week, Kultida attended Tiger’s TGL match held in Florida.
“It is with profound sadness that I share the news of my dear mother, Kultida Woods, who left us early this morning,” Woods expressed. “My Mom was an incredible force; her spirit was truly remarkable. She had a quick wit and even quicker laughter,” he continued. “She was adored by many, especially her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie. I appreciate all of your support, prayers, and respect for our privacy during this challenging time for my family. Love you, Mom.”
Originally from Thailand, Kultida met Earl Woods, Tiger’s father, during the Vietnam War. The couple married in New York in 1969 and later settled in California. Earl passed away in 2006 after a marriage that lasted 37 years.
In a 2017 interview with YSL News Sports, Woods shared that his parents never pressured him into playing golf and were always supportive regardless of his performance on the course.
“My dad was the one to plant ideas and provide encouragement, even if those ideas took time to develop,” Woods shared back in 2017. “He had a deep and worldly perspective.”
“My mom was the one who kept order. While my dad was in Special Forces, I was never afraid of him. My mom is still here, and I am genuinely scared of her. She’s a very tough lady, extremely demanding. I love her dearly, but she’s a strong presence.”
Woods honored his mother last year when receiving the Bob Jones Award, the top accolade from the United States Golf Association.
“My mom hasn’t received enough recognition,” he remarked during the award presentation. “People often assume my dad was the one with me on the road, which was true, but my mom was always at home. If you didn’t know, she has been by my side my entire life.”
“This award is given with humility and immense respect for past recipients, but I also dedicate it to my mom. She has been instrumental in allowing me to pursue my dreams, and for that love and support, I am grateful. I couldn’t have reached this point alone; I had the best anchor a child could wish for: my mom. Thank you, Mommy.”
Tiger Woods is currently the host of the Genesis Invitational, which will be relocated to Torrey Pines in San Diego, starting February 13. It remains unclear whether Woods will participate in the tournament, which was moved from Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles due to wildfires in Southern California.