Shanon Biles : The Untold Story of Simone Biles’s Biological Mother

Last updated on: April 18, 2025

Shanon Biles is the biological mother of renowned gymnast Simone Biles. Simone was born on March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio. She went on to become one of the world’s most recognizable athletes. She did not, however, start off that way. It started with a rough childhood and strained relationship with her biological mother.

Quick Facts About Shanon Biles

Shanon’s Substance Abuse Problems

Shanon Biles also found it challenging to raise Simone. She had addiction problems with drugs and alcohol. This rendered her incapable of taking care of her children well. Due to her challenges, Simone and her other siblings were left in foster care while Simone was still young.

Simone has frequently spoken about how difficult her childhood was. There were periods when she did not have enough to eat, and she did not know what the future held for her. Her life, however, changed when she was six years old.

Adoption and a New Beginning

Simone’s life changed for the better when her maternal grandfather, Ronald “Ron” Biles, and his wife, Nellie Biles, intervened to adopt her and her younger sister, Adria. The couple was residing in Spring, Texas, and they provided Simone and Adria with a stable and loving environment. Ron, a U.S. Air Force veteran, and Nellie, a Belizean nurse, became the girls’ rock.

Ronald and Nellie provided Simone and Adria with everything they required. They were the ones who supported Simone’s aspirations and ensured she had the opportunity to train in gymnastics. As a matter of fact, they constructed the World Champions Centre, a gymnastics centre in Texas, to enable Simone to pursue her love for gymnastics without restrictions.

The Other Siblings

Simone was not the only one in the family. She has three siblings named Ashley, Tevin, and Adria. Although Simone and Adria were adopted by Ronald and Nellie, Ashley and Tevin were adopted by Ronald’s sister, Harriet, and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. Though the siblings grew up apart, Simone has remained close to them and appreciates the bond that they have.

Shanon’s Relationship with Simone

Following the adoption, Shanon was not permitted to have contact with her children for six years. Ronald Biles wished to ensure Simone and Adria were able to settle into their new life without any distractions. Throughout this period, Shanon wrestled with her emotions but knew that this decision was taken for the sake of her children.

In subsequent years, Shanon got sober and has remained sober since 2007. She has publicly admitted to past drug and alcohol abuse. Shanon has also indicated a wish to “make amends” with Simone. She has publicly asked for Simone’s forgiveness and hopes to restore their relationship.

Simone’s Relationship with Her Grandparents

Although Shanon is Simone’s biological mother, Simone calls her grandparents, Ronald and Nellie, her “mom” and “dad.” They are the ones who adopted her and provided her with a stable life. Simone has credited them repeatedly for making her who she is today. Without them, she feels she would not have attained the success she has in gymnastics.

Simone also has a special relationship with her younger sister, Adria, who also became a gymnast. Adria has always been one of Simone’s strongest supporters. Theirs is a relationship of love and encouragement.

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Shanon’s Hope for the Future

Shanon has in the past few years talked about hoping for a healthier relationship with Simone. She explained that she gets that it would take time and is holding out for Simone to call her when she feels ready. Shanon is glad about everything Simone has achieved and only wishes for the two to move forward.

Shanon has also apologized for what she did before, but she still hopes that Simone can forgive her. She has stated, “I would just ask her to forgive me. Let’s move forward.”