Everyone knows the story of the GOAT. We’ve seen the medals, the gravity-defying triple-doubles, and that iconic "Biles II" on the vault. But behind the glitz of the Paris and Rio Olympics, there is a messy, deeply human story about a woman named Shanon Biles.
Honestly, the media usually paints Shanon as a one-dimensional villain—the "addict mother" who disappeared. The truth is a lot more complicated than a headline. It’s a story of addiction, a father’s tough love, and a daughter who had to build a life from the wreckage of a broken home.
The Reality of Simone Biles Biological Mom
Shanon Biles lives in Columbus, Ohio. She’s 52 now. Most days, she’s just another person trying to make ends meet, though she’s recently struggled with some health issues that kept her from her job as a cashier at Save A Lot.
But back in the late 90s, things were dark. Shanon was struggling with a severe addiction to drugs and alcohol. When you’re in the thick of that, everything else falls away—even your kids. By the time Simone was just three years old, social workers had to step in.
Simone has been vocal about those early years. She remembers being hungry. She remembers a "foster cat" that got fed while she and her siblings didn't. It’s heavy stuff. In 2000, Simone and her three siblings—Adria, Ashley, and Tevin—were placed in foster care.
The Adoption That Changed Everything
Here is where the family dynamic gets interesting. Usually, foster care ends in a stranger adoption or a return to the parents. But Ronald Biles, Shanon’s father, couldn't sit by and watch his grandkids bounce around the system.
He and his wife, Nellie, took the kids in.
At first, it was supposed to be temporary. But Shanon couldn't stay clean. She’d fail drug tests, and the cycle would start all over again. Eventually, Ron made a choice that Shanon initially saw as a betrayal: he decided to adopt Simone and Adria officially.
- The Split: Ronald and Nellie adopted the two youngest (Simone and Adria).
- The Others: The two oldest siblings, Tevin and Ashley, were adopted by Ronald’s sister.
- The Rule: Once the papers were signed, Ron "flipped a switch." He cut off Shanon's contact with the girls.
He didn't do it to be mean. He did it because he knew Simone needed stability to survive. He knew that a mother popping in and out of her life while high would destroy her. Shanon told the Daily Mail in a 2024 interview that she was "hard-headed" and angry back then. She didn't get it. Now? She says she finally understands why her father did what he did.
Where Does Shanon Biles Stand Today?
If you’re looking for a Hollywood reunion, you’re going to be disappointed. Shanon has been sober since 2007. That’s a huge accomplishment—nearly two decades of recovery is no joke.
But sobriety doesn't automatically heal twenty years of absence.
Shanon watched the Paris 2024 Olympics from her porch in Ohio. She threw a backyard party. She cheered. She’s incredibly proud. But she wasn't invited to Simone’s wedding to Jonathan Owens. She doesn't get invited to the big family dinners.
The "Amends" Interview
In August 2024, Shanon went public again. She basically begged for forgiveness. She made it clear that she has Simone’s phone number, but she won't call it. Why? Because she’s waiting for Simone to be ready.
"I'm just waiting for her and Adria," Shanon said. "I would just ask her to forgive me. Can we move forward? Don't judge me on my past."
It’s a heartbreaking plea, but it puts a lot of pressure on Simone. Imagine being the most famous athlete in the world and having your biological mother—who you barely know—ask for a sit-down through the British tabloids. Kinda awkward, right?
Why Simone Considers Nellie Her "Real" Mom
People often get confused about the "grandparents" thing. To be 100% clear: Ronald and Nellie Biles are Simone’s parents. Period.
Simone has said many times that without them, she wouldn't be alive, let alone a champion. She calls Nellie "Mom" because Nellie did the work. She did the hair, the carpools to the gym, the emotional support after a bad meet.
In her memoir, Courage to Soar, Simone explains that she doesn't feel a "void" where her biological mother should be. She found that love elsewhere.
👉 See also: Where Did Chelsea Clinton Go to College? What Most People Get Wrong
Does Shanon Still See the Family?
Sorta. She talks to her father, Ronald, all the time. He gives her updates on how Simone is doing. She also talks to Adria (Simone’s sister) more than she talks to Simone.
But there’s still a lot of friction. Shanon has had some recent legal trouble—a 2020 assault charge that resulted in probation—which probably doesn't help build trust with a high-profile daughter who values her privacy.
The Takeaway for the Rest of Us
The story of simone biles biological mom isn't just about celebrity gossip. It’s a masterclass in boundaries and the reality of addiction.
- Forgiveness isn't mandatory. Just because someone gets sober doesn't mean the people they hurt owe them a relationship.
- Family is built, not just born. The bond between Simone and Nellie proves that "Mom" is a verb, not just a biological label.
- Recovery is a lifelong path. Shanon’s journey shows that you can turn your life around, but you might still have to live with the permanent consequences of your past choices.
If you’re following this story, don't expect a public reconciliation anytime soon. Simone is focused on her marriage, her career, and her peace. Shanon is focused on her sobriety and her health. Sometimes, the healthiest thing for everyone involved is to keep that distance, even if it’s painful to watch from the outside.
To understand more about the people who raised the champ, look into the specific coaching methods of Aimee Boorman or the support system Ron and Nellie built in Spring, Texas. That's where the real "magic" happened.