er Woods and Vanessa Trump have faced separate personal difficulties during the past year, but people close to the couple say those experiences have brought them closer together.
Vanessa, 48, announced in May that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Woods, 50, meanwhile, faced legal consequences following a March rollover crash in Florida and subsequently sought treatment outside the United States.
Rather than allowing those challenges to pull them apart, the couple reportedly became an important source of support for one another.
“Somehow when both sides were suffering and depending on the other for support, things grew stronger in the romance—they did not explode the other way,” a source close to the couple told People.
“Tiger and Vanessa have faced big problems at the same time and have helped the other through it. This says a lot.”
A relationship made public in 2025
Woods publicly confirmed his relationship with Vanessa in March 2025, the same month a source close to the Trump family verified their romance to People.
Vanessa was previously married to Donald Trump Jr., with whom she shares five children: Kai, 19; Donald, 17; Tristan, 14; Spencer, 13; and Chloe, 12.
When announcing their relationship on Instagram, Woods shared two photographs of himself with Vanessa and wrote about their plans to move forward together.
“Love is in the air and life is better with you by my side!” he wrote. “We look forward to our journey through life together.”
The golfer also asked for privacy for the people closest to them.
Approximately one year after the couple made their relationship public, Woods was involved in a rollover crash in Florida on March 27. He was later charged with driving under the influence, causing property damage and refusing to submit to a lawful test.
Woods subsequently received court approval to leave the country for treatment.
Vanessa reveals her breast cancer diagnosis
While Woods was confronting the consequences of the crash, Vanessa disclosed on May 20 that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I am staying focused and hopeful while surrounded by the love and support of my family, my kids, and those closest to me,” she wrote on Instagram.
A source close to the Trump family told People that Woods had supported Vanessa while respecting how much involvement she wanted from him.
“Tiger has been there for [Vanessa] as much as she wants it,” the source said.
The source also suggested that supporting Vanessa gave Woods an opportunity to direct his attention toward someone he loved while addressing his own problems.
“He has given her a lot of love—even while away working on himself,” the source added.
Vanessa’s diagnosis and Woods’ legal and personal difficulties unfolded during the same period, leaving both partners in need of patience and support.
According to those familiar with their relationship, neither person withdrew when circumstances became more difficult.
Vanessa accompanies Woods to court
Vanessa demonstrated her support publicly on September 2 when she accompanied Woods to a court hearing in Martin County, Florida. Woods’ mother was also present.
The golfer changed his plea in the DUI case from not guilty to no contest.
According to court records cited by People, one charge was amended to Local 1 reckless driving, while a second was changed to a careless-driving citation as part of a plea agreement. Woods also paid a $1,000 fine.
He lost his driving license for five years following the resolution of the case.
A separate source told People that Vanessa’s appearance beside Woods was unsurprising, although she had reportedly been upset by his arrest.
“She was a support system to him in March, although pretty upset about his arrest,” the source said.
“But just because bad things happen, people who are together don’t run away from their problems. Neither has done that during this series of bad issues.”
Vanessa’s presence at the hearing reflected the mutual support that sources say has defined their relationship throughout the year.
Difficult circumstances bring the couple closer
Woods and Vanessa entered their relationship with established families and public profiles.
Woods is a 15-time major golf champion, while Vanessa has spent years raising the five children she shares with Don Jr. Their relationship attracted widespread attention when it became public, but their most difficult period arrived after they had already been together for more than a year.
Vanessa’s cancer diagnosis placed her health at the center of the family’s concerns. Woods’ crash, treatment and court case created a separate series of personal and legal challenges.
Sources close to them say the couple responded by remaining present for one another.
Woods continued showing affection and concern for Vanessa while working on himself outside the country. Vanessa, in turn, stood beside him as he appeared in court and resolved his DUI case.
Neither Woods nor Vanessa has suggested that the year has been easy. However, their actions and the accounts provided by people familiar with the relationship indicate that the pressure did not separate them.
Their romance reportedly became stronger because each partner chose to offer support while facing serious difficulties of their own.
For Woods and Vanessa, a year shaped by health concerns, treatment and legal consequences also became a test of the partnership they first made public in 2025.
