Is Tiger Woods Mom Still Alive? The Truth About Kultida Woods Today

Everyone knows the red shirt on Sundays. They know the fist pumps, the reconstructed leg, and the 15 major championships. But if you've watched Tiger Woods since the 1990s, you also know the woman usually standing near the 18th green. She’s the one with the sunglasses and the quiet, unwavering intensity. People are constantly asking, is Tiger Woods mom still alive, especially since she’s been less visible at tournaments in recent years.

The short answer is yes. Kultida Woods, affectionately known as "Tida," is very much alive.

She turned 81 in 2024. While Tiger’s father, Earl Woods, was the vocal, public architect of Tiger’s golf swing and his "Caddyshack" charisma, Kultida was always the enforcer. She was the one who made sure the homework was done before the birdied putts mattered. She’s stayed out of the tabloids, mostly, which is why fans get curious about her status whenever Tiger makes a comeback. Honestly, her absence from the camera lens isn't about her health as much as it is about her preference for a quiet life in Florida.

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Why people keep asking about Kultida Woods

It makes sense why the internet gets buzzy about this. We lost Earl Woods back in 2006 to prostate cancer. That was a massive, tectonic shift in Tiger’s life. Since then, Kultida has been the sole surviving pillar of his childhood.

When Tiger had his horrific car accident in February 2021, the first person everyone thought of—besides his kids, Sam and Charlie—was Tida. You’ve probably seen the old footage of her watching him as a toddler. That bond is unbreakable. She lives in Jupiter, Florida, not far from Tiger’s massive estate. She isn't just "still alive"; she is a functional, integral part of the Woods family ecosystem. She’s a grandmother who is heavily involved in the lives of Charlie and Sam.

She’s tough. Tiger famously called her "The Enforcer."

If Earl was the one who taught Tiger how to play the game, Kultida was the one who taught him how to win. She’s Thai, born in Kanchanaburi, and she brought a specific kind of mental toughness to his upbringing. She once told Sports Illustrated that she didn't care about the golf as much as the discipline. If he messed up, he dealt with her. That’s a scary thought for anyone who knows her steely gaze.

The cultural impact of Tida Woods

You can't talk about whether is Tiger Woods mom still alive without talking about her heritage. Kultida immigrated to the U.S. after meeting Earl while he was stationed in Thailand in the late 1960s. She is a mix of Thai, Chinese, and Dutch ancestry. This is where Tiger gets his "Cablinasian" identity from.

She’s a devout Buddhist.

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That’s actually a huge detail people miss. When Tiger went through his very public scandal in 2009 and 2010, Kultida was the one who guided him back toward his Buddhist roots. She was there in the front row during his televised apology. She didn't look happy. She looked like a mother who was disappointed but fiercely protective.

• She values privacy above all else.
• She maintains a close relationship with Tiger’s ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, for the sake of the grandkids.
• Kultida has outlived many of her contemporaries from the early PGA Tour days.
• Her health has remained relatively stable, though she naturally deals with the standard issues of an octogenarian.

She doesn't do interviews. You won't find her on a podcast "opening up" about her son's struggles. That’s just not her style. She’s old school.

Where is Kultida Woods now?

She’s mostly in Jupiter. If you’re looking for her, you’ll likely find her at a junior golf tournament watching Charlie Woods play. She’s transitioned from being the "Tiger Mom" to the "Tiger Grandma." It’s a softer role, but she still has that sharp edge.

There was a rumor a few years back that she had moved back to Thailand. That’s false. While she does support many charities in Thailand—specifically those helping children and schools—Florida is her home base. She stayed there to be close to Tiger during his multiple back surgeries and the grueling recovery from his leg injury.

Think about the pressure she’s been under. She watched her son become the most famous athlete on the planet, saw his life implode, saw him rebuild it, and then almost saw him die in a rollover crash. Most people would crumble. Tida? She just kept going.

The "Enforcer" nickname is real

Tiger once recounted a story where he was playing a tournament as a kid. He was being a bit of a brat. Kultida didn't wait until they got home. She let him know right then and there that his behavior was unacceptable. Earl would talk about "mental toughness" and "special forces training," but Kultida just expected excellence and respect.

It’s a different kind of strength.

It’s the kind of strength that keeps a family together when the world is trying to tear it apart for clicks. She’s the reason Tiger has such a high "pain tolerance," both physically and mentally. You don't survive 80+ years with that kind of intensity without having a very strong constitution.

Common misconceptions about Tiger's parents

A lot of casual fans get the timeline mixed up. Because Earl has been gone for nearly two decades, people subconsciously lump the parents together. They assume if one is gone, the other must be too.

1. Earl died in May 2006.
2. Kultida is very much present in 2026.
3. She is not "reclusive," just private. There's a difference.
4. She does not run Tiger's business; she runs his moral compass.

If you see a woman in the background of a video of Charlie Woods swinging a club, and she has a visor on and looks like she’s analyzing the plane of his swing with mathematical precision, that’s her.

What we can learn from Kultida’s longevity

Kultida Woods is a masterclass in resilience. She moved to a foreign country, raised a prodigy, and survived the highest highs and lowest lows of fame. Her secret seems to be her faith and her refusal to let the public into her inner circle.

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Staying active is clearly part of her longevity. She’s frequently seen walking and staying involved in the day-to-day logistics of the Woods family. She hasn't just "survived"; she’s thrived in a secondary role that most people would find exhausting.

She also proves that you don't need to be the loudest person in the room to be the most powerful. Earl was the loud one. Tida was the one who made sure the bills were paid and the values were instilled.

Moving forward: Respecting the privacy of the Woods family

As Tiger moves into the "Senior Tour" phase of his career eventually, and as Charlie Woods moves up the ranks of competitive golf, we will likely see more of Kultida. She is the bridge between the original Tiger era and whatever comes next for the Woods dynasty.

The question is Tiger Woods mom still alive is usually asked out of genuine care. Fans feel like they know this family. We’ve watched them grow up in real-time. Knowing she’s still there, providing that foundation for Tiger and his kids, is actually quite a comfort to the golf community.

Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers:

• Check Official Sources: If you ever doubt the status of a high-profile figure like Kultida, check the TGR Foundation (Tiger’s foundation) updates. They often mention her involvement in Thai outreach programs.
• Look to the Grandkids: Follow the coverage of Charlie Woods’ tournaments. Kultida is almost always in attendance, though she often stays away from the main television towers.
• Respect the Boundary: Understand that Kultida’s lack of a social media presence is intentional. In an era of oversharing, her silence is her strength.
• Acknowledge the Matriarch: When discussing Tiger’s legacy, remember that it wasn't just a father-son story. It was a triangle. Without Kultida, the Tiger Woods we know wouldn't exist.

She remains a vital, living part of sports history. At 81, she’s still the woman Tiger looks for in the crowd after a round. That says everything you need to know about her status and her health.

Next Steps for Readers:
To get a better sense of her influence, look for the 2021 HBO documentary "Tiger." While she didn't sit for a fresh interview, the archival footage and the testimonies from those who knew the family in the early days paint a vivid picture of her role. You can also monitor the TGR Foundation’s annual reports to see the ongoing work she champions in Southeast Asia, which remains her primary philanthropic focus outside of her family duties in Florida.