Abby Brammell

By Sarah Bull and Paul Thompson

Relaxed: Elin Nordegren looked happy as she attended an event at her children's school in Windermere, Florida yesterday


Swedish model admits she dropped weight and lost hair over split

Denies 'ridiculous' speculation she attacked Woods with a golf club after car accident

She 'still believes in love', but will focus on her children instead of dating for now


Elin Nordegren has spoken for the first time since her split from Tiger Woods, and says she had no idea about her the golfer's multiple affairs
Speaking to People magazine, Swedish model Elin, 30, said she felt 'blindsided' and 'embarrassed' when she found out about Woods' infidelities - especially when the whole world soon found out about her private life.

She said: 'I never suspected, not a one. For the last three-and-a-half years, when all this was going on, I was home a lot more with pregnancies, then the children and my school.'


Elin added that she and Woods tried to work through their marital problems, but in the end they had to agree to split.

Speaking about the parade of women who claimed to have had affairs with her husband, she said: 'I felt stupid as more things were revealed. How could I not have known anything? The word "betrayal" isn't strong enough. I felt like my whole world had fallen apart.


First time: Elin said the interview would be her first and last


'I felt embarrassed for having been so deceived. I felt betrayed by many people around me. Initially, I thought we had a chance, and we tried really hard.'

In what she described as her first and last interview, Elin, whose divorce from Woods was finalised yesterday, also said she has started to come to terms with her situation.

She said: 'I have been through the stages of disbelief and shock, to anger and ultimately grief over the loss of the family I so badly wanted for my children.

'I also feel stronger than I ever have. I have confidence in my beliefs, my decisions and myself.'

In the People interview Nordegren denied that she and Woods had been fighting on the night he crashed his car outside their Florida home.

She emphatically denied hitting Woods with a golf club or chasing after him before he crashed his Lincoln Escalade 4x4.

'There was never any violence inside or outside our home,' she said.
'The speculation that I would have used a golf club to hit him is just truly ridiculous.'

The car crash led to the stories of his multiple affairs being made public by his many mistresses.

Nordegren did not reveal how much her divorce settlement was worth but tellingly added: 'Money doesn't make you happy. ... But I have to be honest: It is making some things easier. I have the opportunity to be with my children as much as I want.'

She also credits her children, three-year-old Sam and 19-month-old Charlie, with getting her through the past nine months.

'Just having them around, hugging me, kissing me, gives me the strength to get through every day," she said.


Doting mother: Elin carries her son Charlie


Betsy Gleick, executive editor of People magazine said on US TV that Nordegren was 'not in denial'.

'She is a private person. She's been reluctant to speak until now,' Gleick said.

'She says, she's just been through the hardest thing she's ever been through in her life, but that she has survived.

'What she wanted most of all was to keep her marriage together, but once she realised that she couldn't do that, she still wants there to be two happy parents involved in their children's lives.'

Gleick added that Nordegren wanted to do the interview with People to clarify that she didn't know what was going on with Woods.

'She says she was embarrassed that she didn't know what was going on,' Gleick said on the CBS Early Show.

'But she was at home, having babies and taking care of the babies. She says she had no idea.'

Elin said she has 'been through hell' over the past nine months, and has suffered hair loss, insomnia and weight loss since reports about Tiger's affairs first came to light.

She said: 'It's hard to think you have this life, and then all of a sudden - was it a lie? You're struggling because it wasn't real. But I survived. It was hard, but it didn't kill me.'


Things to think about: Tiger Woods looked pensive as he sheltered under an umbrella during a practice round at the Barclays golf tournament in Paramus, New Jersey on Wednesday


Elin, who has two children, Sam, three, and 19-month-old Charlie with Tiger, is currently studying for a degree in psychology, but says her education isn't as important as ensuring her family is properly 'healed.'

Asked about her plans for the future, Elin explained: 'My immediate plan is for the kids and me to continue to adjust to our new situation.

'I am going to keep taking classes, but my main focus is to try to give myself time to heal.

'Forgiveness takes time. It is the last step of the grieving process.'

Asked about any potential romance in the future, she said: 'It's going to be just me and the kids for a little while, but I believe in love, because I've seen it. I've been there.'

However, Elin said felt 'privileged' to have witnessed Woods' golfing career, adding:

'I wish him all the best in the future, as a person and as an athlete.

'I know he is going to go down as the best golfer that ever lived, and rightfully so. I feel privileged to have witnessed a part of his golfing career.'


United: Woods played happy families with Elin at their daughter Sam's third birthday party in June


Play time: Woods looked to be in good spirits as he played with son Charlie at the party


Elin and Woods' divorce was finalised yesterday at Bay County Circuit Court in Panama City, Florida, with the marriage described during the ten-minute hearing as 'irretrievably broken'.

In order for the divorce to proceed, they had to complete a four-hour parenting course - as required by state law where there are children involved.

According to court documents, Woods took part in the 'Parent Education And Family Stabilisation' course on July 10 - just before flying out to the British Open at St Andrews.

Meanwhile, Elin completed her course on August 16.

However, if 34-year-old Woods thought any kind of line would be drawn under his affairs, he was mistaken - as a succession of his mistresses emerged from the woodwork yesterday to speak out.

Between 11 and 19 women are said to have come forward claiming to have had an affair with the golfer, referred to on court documents by his real name Eldrick Tont Woods.

The first woman to be outed, Rachel Uchitel, said she was desperate to win him back while another said Woods 'deserved to be hated'.

Friends said that Miss Nordegren, 30, who was reportedly paid £64million in the divorce, was determined to remain on civil terms with her ex-husband for the sake of their children.


'Paramount importance': Tiger and Elin, seen here in a family portrait shortly after the birth of Charlie, said their main priority is the wellbeing of their children


Although the terms of child support were not revealed in court documents, it is understood the couple will share custody.

'I feel horrible for him. He loved her. But he was in love with me. I hope he remembers what was real, and reaches out to me.'

The ongoing drama in Woods' personal life is also taking its toll on the golf course with a series of poor performances.

He missed the cut in several tournaments and did not finish higher than fourth in any major event this year.

In a joint statement about the divorce, Elin and Woods said: 'We are sad that our marriage is over and we wish each other the very best for the future.

'While we are no longer married, we are the parents of two wonderful children and their happiness has been, and will always be, of paramount importance to both of us.

'Once we came to the decision that our marriage was at an end, the primary focus of our amicable discussions has been to ensure their future well-being.'


Claims: Club hostress Rachel Uchitel (left), waitress Jaimee Grubbs (centre) and porn star Joslyn James (right) claim to have had affairs with Woods


Sad time: Woods addressed reporters at a press conference in New Jersey today


Woods today added to that statement at a press conference where he again emphasised the importance of his children.

‘It's a sad time in our lives,’ he told reporters at The Barclays golf tournament in New Jersey.

‘I wish her [Nordegren] the best in everything. We're looking forward to how we can help our kids the best way we possibly can. And that's the most important thing.'

When a reporter asked Woods if he still loves Nordegren, he didn't answer, instead repeating; ‘That's the most important thing.’

Woods was also asked whether he felt relief at the split. He said: ‘I don't think that's the word. I think it's just more sadness.

'Because I don't think you ever go into a marriage looking to get divorced. That's the thing. That's why it is sad.’
The golfer also appeared to express regret for his past behaviour.

‘My actions certainly led us to this decision,’ he said. ‘And I've certainly made a lot of errors in my life and that's something I'm going to have to live with.’

After saying that the divorce ‘was a lot more difficult than I was letting on,’ Woods referred to his wife’s People interview.

‘I certainly understand that she is sad,’ he said. ‘And I feel the same way.’
Earlier, in a statement to the magazine, he again discussed his two children.

‘Personally, I am learning to balance family and golf. My children come first and always will, but I also appreciate golf more than ever,' he said.

He added that he cherished the time he was able to spend with the children, describing how he enjoys nothing more than hitting balls at the golf range with 18-month-old Charlie and taking three-year-old Sam to school.

Paying tribute to his ex-wife, who he called a 'wonderful mother, ' Woods also called for privacy, saying: 'This is a very painful, personal and private time for our family.'


source :dailymail