Who was Kultida Woods? A look at the woman who shaped Tiger Woods' journey

Kultida Woods, the mother of golf legend Tiger Woods, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 78. Known for her unwavering support and influence, she played a pivotal role in shaping her son into one of the most dominant figures in the sport. Tiger Woods shared the news on social media but did not disclose the cause of death or the location.
In his social media post, Woods wrote, “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. Thank you all for your support, prayers and privacy at this difficult time for me and my family. Love you Mom.”

Kultida Woods remained a steadfast presence throughout her son's public and professional life. She regularly attended his tournaments and stood by him during challenging times, including the scandal that temporarily sidelined his career. Tiger Woods has often credited his mother with her unwavering support and influence.

Accepting the Bob Jones Award from the United States Golf Association in 2024, he reflected on her impact, saying, “I didn’t do this alone. I had the greatest rock that any child could possibly have: my mom.”
Born on September 30, 1946, in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, Kultida Punsawad met Earl Woods while working as a secretary in Bangkok. Earl was in the country on a military assignment at the time. The pair fell in love, and Kultida returned to New York with Earl. They later married and started a family. Their son, Eldrick Tont "Tiger" Woods, who would go on to become a golf superstar, was born in 1975.
The 2021 HBO documentary Tiger offered an intimate look into Tiger Woods’ life, featuring home videos and archived audio. In one clip, Tiger reflects on his upbringing, noting that while his father was a soldier, it was his mother who truly instilled discipline.
"My dad may have been in the Special Forces, but I was never afraid of him," he admitted. "My mom, on the other hand, was the enforcer. She’s a very tough, tough old lady—very demanding. ... I love her so much, but she was tough."
As per the People, Tiger’s insane abilities as a golfer were recognized early on by his father, and the family put everything at stake to push Tiger toward success. During his 2022 induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Tiger Woods reflected on the sacrifices his family made to support his career.

"At just 14 and a half, my family made a tough decision—we took out a second mortgage so I could compete on the AJGA Tour," he shared, as noted by the PGA Tour. "Mom stayed home, Dad traveled, and I went out to play, all on that second mortgage." His father’s work ethic and mother’s sacrifices for the sake of his career, really motivated Tiger.
Apart from that, Tiger’s iconic polo red shirt which is synonymous with success, also is a result of Kutilda’s intervention. Tiger Woods credits his mother, Kultida, for his iconic red Sunday attire. Speaking to ESPN, he recalled how her belief in red as his "power color" first took hold.
As a junior golfer, he won a tournament wearing red, and his mother pointed to it as proof. Testing the superstition, he wore blue in his next event and won, playfully teasing her about it. However, after losing two tournaments in blue, he switched back to red—and his winning streak resumed. "Well, I kept it," he said with a grin.