Simone Biles admits that her family history and that of her biological mother are a little confusing, but it’s her story to tell.
Gymnastics Legend Simone Biles is far from being a newbie in the Olympics.
She was just 19 years old 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 excited fans have questions about his family — including his relationship with his biological mother.
![Simone Biles' Family Explained: Who Is Her Biological Mother? 10 Simone Biles on July 23, 2024, ahead of the Paris Olympics.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0725_simonebiles_01-769x1024.jpg)
Simone Biles’ grandparents raised her
At the age of three, Simone Biles’ grandparents, Nellie and Ronald, took her in to raise her. Simone was the third of four children. All four of them were in and out of the foster care system during those early years.
They are her mother and father, respectively, in the sense that they are the only parents she knows. They raised her, they were there for her.
Her mother was struggling 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 parents, Simone was lucky in that regard.
![Simone Biles' Family Explained: Who Is Her Biological Mother? 11 Simone Biles on July 25, 2024 for the Paris Olympics.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0725_simonebiles_02-1024x678.jpg)
![Simone Biles' Family Explained: Who Is Her Biological Mother? 12 Simone Biles on July 25, 2024 for the Paris Olympics.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0725_simonebiles_02-1024x678.jpg)
In 2016, Shanon Biles — Simone’s biological mother — spoke to The Daily Mail about signing about her parental rights and allowing her parents to adopt Simone, then 3 years old.
“When we signed the (adoption) papers, it was like my dad flipped a switch in me,” she recalled.
Shanon described: “No communication, no calling, no visiting. It was like that in the beginning.”
![Simone Biles' Family Explained: Who Is Her Biological Mother? 13 Simone Biles on June 30, 2024.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0725_simonebiles_03-1024x748.jpg)
![Simone Biles' Family Explained: Who Is Her Biological Mother? 14 Simone Biles on June 30, 2024.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0725_simonebiles_03-1024x748.jpg)
Simone’s biological mother confesses: ‘I was still using’
“It took me six years to see my children again,” recalled Shanon Biles, Simone’s biological mother.
“I was respectful of my dad for letting the kids transition, he felt it was the best thing for them,” she said.
Simone Biles’ biological mother acknowledged: “It was hard to give up my children, but I had to do what I had to do, I couldn’t take care of them.”
![Simone Biles' Family Explained: Who Is Her Biological Mother? 15 Simone Biles performing gymnastics on July 23, 2024 ahead of the Paris Olympics.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0725_simonebiles_04-1024x683.jpg)
![Simone Biles' Family Explained: Who Is Her Biological Mother? 16 Simone Biles performing gymnastics on July 23, 2024 ahead of the Paris Olympics.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0725_simonebiles_04-1024x683.jpg)
“I was still using and he didn’t want me to be in and out of their lives when I wasn’t well,” Shanon Biles admitted.
“I was stubborn, I didn’t care,” she recalled, “screaming, ‘I want to see my kids, why are 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 myself first.”
![Simone Biles' Family Explained: Who Is Her Biological Mother? 17 Simone Biles on June 28, 2024.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0725_simonebiles_05-1024x683.jpg)
![Simone Biles' Family Explained: Who Is Her Biological Mother? 18 Simone Biles on June 28, 2024.](https://thegurumedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/0725_simonebiles_05-1024x683.jpg)
How are things with Simone Biles’ biological mother now?
In 2016, Shanon Biles said that she and Simone speak in a cordial but brief manner — talking, 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, most recently in 2021.
Unlike her biological daughter, Shanon is not a public figure. Simone is a superstar — and so is the child in the equation. Ultimately, decisions about how much contact to have should always be made by ever be from Simone.
So we don’t expect Shanon to be in Paris for Simone’s Olympic return. Simone’s husband and the parents, yes – but not Shanon.
In April 2024, Simone Biles opened up about her grandparents (who are also her parents) and her biological mother on Call her, daddy podcast.
“That’s also crazy to explain to people because I’m like, ‘My biological mother is also my father’s daughter, and I call him dad,’” Simone acknowledged. “So it’s like, everyone gets really confused.”
The Olympics legend added: “It’s a whole Genealogy that you’re like, ‘Don’t make me explain. My parents are my parents. I was chosen. Feeling blessed.'”