Guide Note
Elin Nordegren is a former swimsuit model and wife of professional golfer Tiger Woods. The couple married in a private ceremony in October of 2004.
Fast Facts
- Born: January 1, 1980
- Full Name: Elin Maria Pernilla Nordegren
- Birthplace: Stockholm, Sweden
- Married to Tiger Woods
- Daughter: Sam Alexis Woods born June 18, 2007
The Nanny Who Tamed The Tiger
Nordegren is one of the three children produced from the marriage of Swedish diplomat and politican Barbro Holmberg and radio journalist Thomas Nordegren. She has a twin sister, Josefin, and a brother, Axel. Nordegren did some bikini modeling in Sweden before her and her sister took a job as nannies for fellow Swede Jesper Parnevik, a professional golfer. In 2001, Parnevik introduced her to Woods during the British Open. Nordegren and Woods began dating soon after and were engaged during the 2003 President's Cup matches in South Africa. They married in Barbados in 2004.
Ryder Cup Photos Controversy
With Woods consistently in the spotlight for his on-course exploits, Nordegren has kept a relatively low public profile. In 2006, however, a controversy surrounding alleged nude photos of her taken for Playboy magazine arose prior to the Ryder Cup matches. Nordegren repeatedly denied that she was the woman in the photos. She brought legal action against the Dubliner magazine for printing the photos and claiming they were of her in 2007. The case settled out of court.
