Tiger Woods is one of the most recognized athletes in modern history, with a career decorated with multiple major championships and a place in the World Golf Hall of Fame. His dominance on the golf course is legendary, but behind his success was the strong support of his parents.
His mother and father were by his side through every triumph and challenge. They were married for over three decades until his father’s passing.
Here’s a closer look at their story—their first meeting, marriage, and professional ambitions.
Also Read: How Did Tiger Woods’ Mom Die? Kultida Woods’ Cause of Death
Tiger Woods’ Parents: Kultida Woods and Earl Woods
Tiger was born on December 30, 1975, in Cypress, California, to Kultida Woods and Earl Woods. His parents came from vastly different backgrounds, but together, they built a home where discipline, ambition, and culture played a huge role in shaping their son’s future.
His father, Earl, was African American, with traces of European and Native American ancestry, while his mother, Kultida, had Thai, Chinese, and Dutch roots. This diverse heritage would later influence Tiger’s perspective on both life and sports.
Furthermore, Woods’ name carries meaning from both parents—his mother chose Eldrick because it started with “E” (for Earl) and ended with “K” (for Kultida). His middle name, Tont, is a traditional Thai name. But the world knows him best as Tiger, a nickname given in honor of his father’s friend, South Vietnamese Colonel Vuong Dang Phong, who also went by the name Tiger.
His Father Earl Was a U.S. Army Infantry Officer
Before becoming known as Tiger Woods’ first coach and mentor, Earl Dennison Woods was a U.S. Army infantry officer who served two combat tours during the Vietnam War. His first deployment was as an infantry officer, and his second was with the United States Army Special Forces. After years of service, the late officer retired from active duty in 1974, just a year before Tiger was born.
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For years, Earl trained his son exclusively, helping him develop precision and mental toughness.
Beyond coaching, Earl also documented his experiences and philosophies in two books. His first, Training a Tiger: Raising a Winner in Both Golf and Life (1997), was released the same year Tiger won his first Masters Tournament. The book provided insight into his training methods, covering everything from technique to mindset.
A year later, he followed up with Playing Through: Straight Talk on Hard Work, Big Dreams, and Adventures with Tiger, offering a broader look at his son’s rise to stardom and the lessons learned along the way.
Woods’ Mom and Dad Married for 37 years Until His Death
Tiger’s parents, Kultida and Earl Woods, first crossed paths on a U.S. Army base in Bangkok in the late 1960s. Earl, a Green Beret with the U.S. Army Special Forces, was stationed in Thailand when he met Kultida, a young woman who had never traveled outside her home country. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, the two quickly fell in love.
Kultida took a leap of faith and followed Earl to Brooklyn, New York, where they married in 1969. Soon after, they settled in Cypress, California, to start a family.
Their marriage lasted for 37 years. But in 2006, their long journey together came to an end when Earl passed away from prostate cancer at the age of 74. He had been diagnosed in 1998, battling the illness for nearly a decade.
Tiger himself shared the heartbreaking news, writing on his website:
“My dad was my best friend and greatest role model, and I will miss him deeply. I’m overwhelmed when I think of all of the great things he accomplished in his life. He was an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband, and friend.”
Kultida Passed Away in February 2025
On February 4, 2025, Tiger announced the death of his mother, Kultida Woods. She passed away early that morning.
In a social media post, he 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.”
She was 80 at the time of her death.
His Dad Was Married Before Kultida
Before meeting Kultida, Earl was married to Barbara Gary. The two tied the knot on May 18, 1954, in Abilene, Kansas, and started a family together. They had three children—Earl Dennison Jr., born in 1955, Kevin Dale in 1957, and their youngest, Royce Renee.
After nearly 14 years of marriage, Earl and Barbara divorced in 1968 in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Not long after, his life took a new turn when he met Kultida while stationed in Thailand.
