Their marriage crumbled when Tiger Woods was embroiled in a cheating scandal, as several women alleged they had intimate encounters with the sports star.
“I’ve been through h—,” Elin revealed to People. “It’s difficult to believe you have this life, and suddenly—it might have been an illusion. You’re struggling because it wasn’t genuine. But I endured. It was challenging, but it didn’t destroy me.”
Reflecting on her reaction upon discovering her husband’s secret affairs, she said, “[I was in] absolute shock and disbelief. I felt foolish as more details emerged—how could I have been unaware? The term betrayal seems inadequate. I felt as if my entire world had collapsed. It appeared as though my reality had never truly existed. I felt humiliated for being so thoroughly deceived. I felt betrayed by many people around me.”
They ended their six-year marriage, finalizing the divorce on August 23, 2010. As part of the settlement, Tiger paid Elin $100 million.
“Money doesn’t bring happiness, but I have to admit: It does make some things easier,” she said. “I have the chance to be with my children as much as I wish, and I can travel to see my family and also have them visit me often.”
She told People, “I always planned to have a career—whether or not Tiger was involved. Now that I won’t be traveling and trailing Tiger to golf tournaments, I can complete my studies more quickly. Afterward, I want to find a way to contribute and make a positive impact in people’s lives.”
