The Complete Transformation Of Elin Nordegren

In the early 2000s, golf star Tiger Woods was a major deal. So when he started dating Swedish model Elin Nordegren, she instantly became a name everyone remembered. However, while Nordegren did some modeling gigs in Sweden, she paid most of her bills as a nanny. 

"I did some modeling when I was younger. I was never very successful at it, and I didn't intend to pursue it. It is flattering to be called a model, but I hardly think a few shoots in my teenage years make me a model," she shared with People in 2010. "I've always loved children. I was a nanny for [Swedish golfer] Jesper and Mia Parnevik's children for a year in between my studies. It is common in Europe to take a year or two off after gymnasiet [high school] to travel or go overseas to learn another language before you continue your studies." However, what's not as common is to begin a relationship with one of the most successful professional golfers in history. Overnight, Nordegren went from taking care of others' children to walking red carpets and attending PGA Tours.

Elin Nordegren became known internationally once she started dating Tiger Woods, and in 2003, the couple got engaged. A year later, Nordegren and the golf star tied the knot during a destination wedding in Barbados, and it certainly seemed as if they were the perfect match. At the time, Nordegren was also known for her minimalist and classy style. With platinum-blond hair and a contagious smile, the Swedish beauty instantly garnered attention wherever she showed up.

Speaking to People in 2010, Nordegren shared how her and the golfer's paths crossed. "I was traveling the PGA tour with Mia and Jesper [Parnevik], so we met through friends. I wasn't interested at first, ironically. I had my opinions about celebrities," Nordegren explained. "I got convinced that we were a lot alike and agreed to a date. The biggest reason I fell for him was because we had a lot of fun together." Looking back at images of the couple from this period, it's clear how much they enjoyed each other's company. "I loved him, we had so much fun, and I felt safe with him," Nordegren added. "Our wedding day was one of the happiest days of my life."

In 2007, Elin Nordegren became a mother as she gave birth to her and Tiger Woods' daughter, Sam Alexis Woods. Two years later, she welcomed their second child, a son they named Charlie Woods. And while 2009 was supposed to be a happy year for the two, it didn't end that way. Toward the end of it, news of the golf star's cheating broke, and just like that, Nordegren's entire world crumbled. In 2010, their romantic relationship ended, and Nordegren and Woods got divorced. Nordegren kept a low profile around this time, but sunglasses were one of her favorite accessories that protected her against the prying lenses of the paparazzi.

Reflecting on the difficult period, the Swedish former model revealed to People that divorce was incredibly hard on her. "As anyone who has gone through a divorce knows, it is never easy. Every day is a little easier than the one before, but I still have a lot of healing to do," she shared. "I have been through stages of disbelief and shock, to anger and ultimately grief over the loss of the family I so badly wanted for my children. I have learned a lot about myself, about the world and about people around me." Working through the grieving process of a divorce isn't easy, but eventually Nordegren started feeling better. While their relationship ended in divorce, Nordegren did reveal that she and her ex-husband tried to stay together. "You think of every way you can save a marriage when it is in a crisis, and I think you try even harder when you have children," she said. "So yes, initially, I thought we had a chance, and we tried really hard. I don't want to go into details of why I didn't think it was possible."

After her divorce from Tiger Woods, Elin Nordegren noticeably avoided the spotlight. When she was snapped, she appeared to sport comfy classic pieces, like jeans and light knitwear. In 2011, she was briefly linked to businessman Jamie Dingman, showcasing that she had moved on from her ex-husband. In 2013, Nordegren started dating entrepreneur Chris Cline. The two were introduced to each other by a mutual friend, and they immediately clicked. Speaking to People in 2014, Nordegren revealed that she is on good terms with her ex-husband. "I have moved on and I am in a good place," she shared. "My relationship with Tiger is centered around our children and we are doing really good — we really are — and I am so happy that is the case. He is a great father." Admitting that getting there wasn't easy, Nordegren shared that it was important to her that her children could count on both parents. "That was always my dream, that the kids can have two loving parents that show respect for each other. And I feel that's what they have."

In 2014, Nordegren got her bachelor's degree in psychology from Rollins College. As the commencement speaker, Nordegren shared how important her education had been for her. "Education has been the only consistent part of my life the last nine years. And it has offered me comfort. Education is one thing that no one can take away from you," Nordegren said at her graduation (via People).

While Elin Nordegren retreated from the spotlight after getting a divorce from Tiger Woods, she briefly reappeared in 2016. The Swedish former model attended the Kentucky Derby in Louisville, where she stunned in a butter-yellow dress and fun hat. Of course, the Kentucky Derby is known for its best and worst-dressed celebs, and Nordegren's off-the-shoulder number proved to be a good choice.

In 2017, Nordegren parted ways with Chris Cline, and soon after, she started dating football star Jordan Cameron. Keeping a low profile, Nordegren avoided paparazzi and rarely gave any interviews. In 2019, her baby bump sparked interest, but she continued avoiding the public eye. "Elin maintains a low profile and has a normal, boring life," a source told Us Weekly. "Florida allows her to live that quiet life... She's surprised that people care that she's pregnant." In 2019, she gave birth to her and Cameron's first child together.

Since 2019, Elin Nordegren and Jordan Cameron have welcomed two more children, giving them a total of three: Arthur, Zeta, and Freya. Cameron has a child from a previous relationship, which means that together the couple has a blended family of six children. While she attended an industry event here and there in the 2010s, in the 2020s, Nordegren has avoided the entertainment industry at all costs.

"Elin always wanted a big family and loved the idea of a house filled with kids," a source shared with People in 2024. "She has that now, living her sweetest dream." Unlike Nordegren, her ex, Tiger Woods, doesn't keep a low profile. In fact, he's been in the spotlight due to his relationship and newfound political ties. However, there are some red flags in Vanessa Trump and Tiger Woods' relationship that make us believe it won't last.