Tammy Swanson is a fictional character in the NBC comedy-drama Parks and Recreation. She is the first ex-wife of Ron Swanson. Tammy I is portrayed by Patricia Clarkson.
Background
Tammy is an IRS Agent and, as Ron put it, taught him everything he knows. She was the nurse who helped deliver him, their relationship was started when Ron was 15, she taught him middle school math, Sunday school, driver's ed, and the art of sex. At some point they got married. It is mentioned in the episode "Summer Catalog" that she threw a surprise birthday party for him. Ron saw some faces in his window and drove down to a gas station. He called the police and ever since has not liked surprises. Tammy is cold and manipulative. She can force Ron to do anything she wants turning Ron into a "neutered wimp" as Leslie puts it. She can scare and manipulate anyone she comes across (her abilities has yet to be tested on someone super positive like Chris) as Ron's second wife, Tammy, was seen fleeing from her.
Storyline
Tammy shows up at the end of season 3 as she claims that Ron is being audited. Ron is reluctant to let her back but eventually realizes he has to do what she says or he will go to jail. She forces Ron to share his bank accounts, house and financial information with her so that she can help. She scares Andy and Leslie into not intervening and April says she is the "cold cruel mother she never had". It turns out that Ron was not being audited at all and that Tammy 1 simply wanted to know where the gold that Ron owns is buried. She claims she has found it but Ron reveals that it was fools gold. She is forced to leave Ron alone after Ron drinks more Swanson alchol then she does.