Elin Nordegren was taking care of their newborn when Woods was having an affair with a 21-year-old who lived just a few yards away from them.
The intimate union of two people, their lives, their souls, and everything that they stand for is what defines marriage. When two people decide to take the vows, they also agree to be loyal and look after each other while being emotionally and physically available. But looks like some people forget these things along the way.
Take ace golfer Eldrick Tont Woods, better known as Tiger Woods, for example. The man was for being an exceptional player with many championships under his name but all that got overshadowed ever since his lies and betrayals were plastered all over the media. It also led to a very ugly divorce battle with wife, model Elin Nordegren.
The couple met back in 2001, according to Clubhouse, during the Open Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club. By 2004, the couple was married and they had two kids together. The days that followed were perfect, or were they? Just five years later, rumors started to surface about Woods' infidelities which didn't take much time to come out in the public. In April 2009, the star player confessed to having relationships with around 120 women which included a one-night stand with their neighbor's 21-year-old daughter in Florida.
According to In Touch Weekly, Woods said, “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behavior my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect."
"Elin has always done more to support our family and shown more grace than anyone could possibly expect," he continued and added, “I will strive to be a better person and the husband and father that my family deserves. For all of those who have supported me over the years, I offer my profound apology."
While the world heard his apology, his wife didn't buy it at all. In fact, it made her even more furious. Well, we can't blame the lady for being mad, it's not one woman we're talking about, it's a list of women Woods fornicated with. According to the New York Post, Nordegren said, "This is the worst betrayal ever. I can’t believe you had sex with that girl in our own neighborhood. That’s it — I’m divorcing you.”
"She was screaming so loudly that everyone at the table could hear what she was saying," revealed a source who witnessed the whole ordeal. It was heartbreaking for Nordegren to hear of her husband's betrayal because reportedly, his affair with the neighborhood girl was taking place just yards away from their home all the while Nordegren was busy taking care of their newborn.
Speaking to People about her husband's betrayal, Nordegren admitted, “I’m so embarrassed that I never suspected — not a one," according to In Touch Magazine. "I’ve been through hell. It’s hard to think you have this life, and then all of a sudden — was it a lie? You’re struggling because it wasn’t real. But I survived. It was hard, but it didn’t kill me,” she continued.
She also recalled how she was under the delusion that her marriage was perfect until the news of Woods' secret affairs and life came under the spotlight. She confessed, “I loved him, we had so much fun, and I felt safe with him. Our wedding day was one of the happiest days of my life," said the heartbroken wife.
The couple legally separated from each other in August 2010 after Nordegren filed for a divorce. She walked away from the marriage with a massive payout of $110 million, according to Cheat Sheet.
Talking to Access Online, he opened up about the divorce and said that he never wanted to turn his ex-wife's life so tumultuous. "You don’t ever go into a marriage looking to get divorced. That’s why it is sad. My actions certainly led us to this decision. I’ve certainly made a lot of errors in my life and that’s something I’m going to have to live with," he said.
He also said that Nordegren deserved appreciation for going through everything that he should be blamed for. Woods said, “The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did was not acceptable and I am the only person to blame," as reported by In Touch magazine.
He added, "I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by — I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled."
Even though the couple went through a public divorce, they have managed to maintain a cordial relationship as they co-parent their kids. Appreciating their relationship back in 2014, Nordegren said, “Our relationship is centered around our children, and we are doing really good — we really are. He is a great father."
They both went on to date other people. Nordegren once said that she was happy that Woods found love again. “I’m happy for Tiger… in general, in any kind of step-parent relationship, I’m happy that there’s somebody else loving my children.”
References:
https://clubhouse.swingu.com/lifestyle/meet-tiger-woods-ex-wife-elin-nordegren/
https://www.intouchweekly.com/posts/tiger-woods-and-elin-nordegrens-relationship-and-breakup-quotes/
https://nypost.com/2010/04/29/tiger-woods-had-120-affairs-including-one-with-young-neighbor/|
https://people.com/celebrity/elin-nordegren-speaks-i-feel-stronger-than-i-ever-have/
