Kultida Woods, the mother of Tiger Woods, has passed away at the age of 80, Tiger announced on Tuesday. While he did not disclose the cause of her death, he paid tribute to her unwavering love and support throughout his life and career, calling her his 'biggest fan' and 'greatest supporter.'
Born Kultida Punsawad in Thailand, Kultida Woods met her future husband, Earl Woods, during the Vietnam War when he was serving in the U.S. Army Special Forces. The two fell in love, and Kultida later moved to New York, where they married before settling in Cypress, California. In 1975, they welcomed their only child, Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods.
At the time she met Earl Woods, Kultida was working as a receptionist in the U.S. Army’s office in Bangkok, according to ESPN. It was there that he formed a connection with Kultida, the office secretary. Despite never having left Thailand before, Kultida Woods made the life-changing decision to move to the United States with Earl.

Kultida was deeply devoted to her son, shaping his early years with discipline and love. She personally drove him to golf lessons and tournaments, instilling values of patience and perseverance. She even played a role in his signature style, convincing him to wear red on Sundays for good luck, reported People Magazine. A proud Buddhist, she encouraged Tiger to visit monks annually for guidance and spiritual balance.
Her dedication to Tiger went beyond the course—she was present during pivotal moments in his life, including his 2010 public apology. In a moving moment from 2009, Kultida Woods expressed her deepest wish: that in her next life, she would once again be Tiger’s mother.
Beyond golf, Tiger also supported his mother’s philanthropic work, funding her long-standing efforts to assist Thai children in need. Kultida Woods dedicated herself to two schools—one providing shelter for orphaned or abandoned girls and another supporting children with developmental disabilities.
Tiger Woods has honored Kultida Woods throughout his life
In a post on X, Tiger paid tribute to his mother by writing:
"It is with heartfelt sadness that I want to share that my dear mother, Kultida Woods, passed away early this morning. 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, but especially by her two grandchildren, Sam and Charlie."
Tiger Woods always found meaningful ways to honor his mother, both on and off the golf course. Each time he returned to compete in Thailand as a professional, he delivered dominant performances, securing victories in all three appearances.
In 1997, he won the Asian Honda Classic by 10 strokes, and the following year, he staged a remarkable comeback at the Johnny Walker Classic, erasing an eight-shot deficit to Ernie Els before defeating him in a playoff. Despite criticism at times, Woods always embraced his Thai heritage, a reflection of his deep respect for his mother. As Kultida proudly put it, 'Tiger will never turn his back on where he comes from,' reported Golf Digest.

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