Simone Biles admits that the story of her family and biological mother is a bit confusing – but it is her story to tell.
Gymnastics legend Simone Biles is far from a newcomer to the Olympics.
She was only 19 when she competed in the 2016 games in Rio De Janeiro. It is no exaggeration to say that she is one of the greatest athletes in human history.
But enthusiastic fans have had questions about her family — including her relationship with her biological mother.
Simone Biles’ Grandparents Raised Her
At the age of three, Simone Biles’ grandparents, Nellie and Ronald, took her in to raise. Simone was the third of four children. All four cycled in and out of foster care during these early years.
They are her mother and father, respectively, in that they are the only parents that she knows. They raised her, they were there for her.
Her mother was battling with alcoholism and other issues at the time. While not everyone is lucky enough to have close family with the ability and willingness to become their parent, Simone was lucky in this regard.
In 2016, Shanon Biles — Simone’s biological mother — spoke to The Daily Mail about signing over her parental rights and allowing her parents to adopt then-3-year-old Simone.
“When we signed the [adoption] papers, it was like my dad flipped a switch on me,” she recalled.
Shanon described: “No communication, don’t call, and don’t visit. That’s how it was at the beginning.”
Simone’s Biological Mother Confesses: ‘I was still using’
“It took me six years before I saw my children again,” Shanon Biles, Simone’s biological mother, recalled.
“I was respecting my Dad to let the kids transition, he felt that was the best thing for them,” she remarked.
Simone Biles’ biological mother acknowledged: “It was hard to give up my kids but I had to do what I had to, I wasn’t able to care for them.”
“I was still using and he didn’t want me coming in and out of their lives when I wasn’t right,” Shanon Biles admitted.
“I was hard-headed, I didn’t care,” she recalled, “screaming, ‘I want to see my kids, why you doing this to me?’”
She added: “I didn’t understand it at the time but years later, I understood why. I had to deal with me first.”
Where do things stand with Simone Biles’ biological mother now?
As of 2016, Shanon Biles said that she and Simone speak in a cordial but brief manner — checking in but not really sharing or having personal conversations.
Shanon likely resides in Columbus, Ohio — the same place where she gave birth to Simone in 1997. She has had legal troubles over the years, and as recently as 2021.
Unlike her biological daughter, Shanon is not a public figure. Simone is a superstar — and also the child in the equation. Ultimately, decisions on how much contact to have should always, always be Simone’s.
To that end, we wouldn’t spect Shanon to be in Paris for Simone’s Olympic comeback. Simone’s husband and parents, yes – but not Shanon.
In April of 2024, Simone Biles spoke about her grandparents (who are also her parents) and her biological mother on the Call Her Daddy podcast.
“That’s also crazy explaining to people because I’m like, ‘My biological mom is also my dad’s daughter, and I call him Dad,’” Simone acknowledged. “So it’s just like, everybody’s hella confused.”
The Olympics legend added: “It’s a whole family tree that you’re like, ‘Don’t make me explain it. My parents are my parents. I got chosen. Feeling blessed.’”