From a tearful symbol of the 9/11 tragedy to a homewrecking tabloid magnet, Rachel Uchitel was making headlines long before she became Tiger Woods' alleged mistress.
One of the first images that appears when you search online for Rachel Uchitel is of her crying while clutching a poster decorated with photos of her fiancee.
Uchitel, then a Bloomberg television producer, wandered the streets of New York in the days after the World Trade Center collapsed, hoping to find her husband-to-be among the rubble.
James Andrew O'Grady, who had been working in the south tower at the time, died during the attacks. Uchitel was notified of his death in 2002.
Although she continued at work through the year, in 2003 she suffered an emotional breakdown.
"I couldn't get through the day," she told The New York Times in a later interview.
After taking leave from work she found love again — re-connecting with childhood friend and Wall Street trader Steven Ehrenkranz at a Halloween party.
In 2004 the pair married in a lavish ceremony in New York, but four months later it was over. Uchitel filed for divorce and moved to Las Vegas.
In Vegas Uchitel became involved with nightclub owner Jason Strauss, another childhood friend.
She became VIP hostess at Tao, a popular Vegas night spot owned by Strauss, where she was known for her ability to draw A-list stars into the venue.
"[It was] a random career move and a life-changing experience," website blackbookmag.com quoted her as saying.
She has since moved back to New York and has become a VIP event organiser for several nightclubs in the city.
Uchitel was blasted into the public eye again this weekend when Woods' car accident coincided with a National Enquirer article alleging they were having an affair.
TMZ.com reported that Woods and his wife were arguing over photographs the Enquirer took showing Uchitel checking into the Melbourne Crown Towers, where Woods was staying earlier this month.
Uchitel has admitted staying at the hotel but denies she met Woods while in Australia.
She has also been linked to former Buffy The Vampire Star and Angel actor David Boreanaz, who she reportedly had an affair with while he was married.
Uchitel told blackbookmag.com in June last year she would "never kiss and tell" about her alleged affairs.
"Although I've been romantically linked to a famous baseball player, a Broadway star, a musician, and various film and television actors, I will never kiss and tell," Uchitel said.
"Some of the simplest things in life make me happy, and I want to end up with someone who truly loves and respects me for who I am."
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