Woods’ infidelity put her on an “emotional rollercoaster”
In November 2009, reports surfaced alleging that Woods had been unfaithful to Nordegren with as many as a dozen other women. Nordegren chose not to delve into the specifics of his alleged affairs. “I’ve been through hell,” she told PEOPLE. “It’s difficult to realize that the life you thought you had may not have been real. You struggle because it feels like a betrayal. But I survived. It was tough, but it didn’t break me.”
When asked about discovering Woods’ affairs, Nordegren expressed, “[I was] in absolute shock and disbelief. I felt foolish as more details emerged — how could I have been so unaware? ‘Betrayal’ doesn’t capture it adequately. It felt like my entire world had crumbled. It seemed that the life I believed in had never been real. I felt ashamed for being so misled. I felt let down by many people around me.”
She revealed that she and Woods attempted to mend their relationship “for months and months,” but ultimately decided to end it. Nordegren mentioned that during that challenging period, her children and loved ones, including her twin sister Josefin, provided crucial support. Josefin, in particular, offered both emotional and practical assistance after the split.
Woods paid her $100 million in their divorce settlement
Initially, reports suggested Nordegren’s divorce settlement from Woods amounted to $750 million, but she actually received $100 million from their marriage. While it wasn’t the outcome she had hoped for, she acknowledged the advantages it brought her.
“Money doesn’t buy happiness, but I have to admit: It does make some things easier,” she told PEOPLE. “I have the freedom to be with my children as much as I want, and I can travel to visit my family or have them visit me whenever I like.”
Nordegren also remarked, “I was always going to pursue a career — whether with or without Tiger. Now that I won’t be traveling and following Tiger to golf tournaments, I can focus on completing my studies more quickly. After that, I aim to find ways to contribute and make a positive impact in people’s lives.”