As golfing icon Tiger Woods celebrates his 50th birthday this Tuesday, his personal life is once again in the spotlight, this time with the approval of his closest family members. Woods' two children have reportedly given their blessing to his new relationship with Vanessa Trump, the former daughter-in-law of ex-US President Donald Trump.
Family First: A Civilised Approach to New Love
Insiders close to the situation have revealed that Woods' son, Charlie, and daughter, Sam, are perfectly content with their father's new partner. The relationship between Vanessa Trump and the Woods children is said to be positive, with sources confirming "she likes the kids; they like her." This familial harmony was a key reason Woods proactively informed his ex-wife, Elin Nordegren, about the romance before it became public knowledge earlier this year.
A source told The Daily Mail that Woods made the call to Nordegren to prevent her from learning about it through the media. "It was more of a call so she didn't learn about it in the news," the insider stated, adding that while Woods has made similar calls in the past, this one was notably different due to the high-profile nature of the connection.
Navigating the Trump Connection
The revelation that Woods is dating someone linked to the Trump family initially raised eyebrows, not least with his ex-wife. Reports indicate that Elin Nordegren's first reaction was one of amused surprise, reportedly exclaiming, "Seriously? A Trump? For real?" However, the Express notes that the former couple have maintained a civil relationship since their 2010 divorce, and Nordegren quickly accepted the news.
Vanessa Trump was married to Donald Trump Jr. for 13 years, from 2005 until their split in 2018, and they share five children. Interestingly, her daughter, Kai Trump, is a talented golfer, creating a shared interest with the Woods family. US media reports also note that Vanessa's children attend the same school as Sam and Charlie Woods.
A Public Declaration and a Quest for Privacy
In a move that signalled the seriousness of the relationship, Tiger Woods took to social media in March to publicly confirm the partnership. He posted photos with Vanessa, captioning them: "Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side! We look forward to our journey through life together. At this time, we would appreciate privacy for all those close to our hearts."
This public announcement was a departure for Woods, who has fiercely guarded his private life since the infidelity scandals of the late 2000s impacted his career. Woods' connection to the Trump family extends beyond his new partner; he has played golf with former President Donald Trump on several occasions and attended a meeting with him at the White House in February of this year.
As one of the world's most celebrated athletes enters his sixth decade, it appears he is doing so with the support of his children and a new, if somewhat controversial, partner by his side.
