Simone Biles, the most decorated American gymnast in history, often speaks of her gratitude for her achievements. While her unparalleled talent and relentless dedication are undeniable, the bedrock of her success story lies firmly within her family, particularly her parents, Ronald and Nellie Biles. Their journey is one of love, adoption, and unwavering support, shaping Simone into the icon she is today. At the heart of the Simone Biles Family narrative is a powerful testament to the strength of adoptive families and the profound impact of nurture and encouragement.
Ronald and Nellie Biles’ story began in 1977 when they met in San Antonio, Texas. Ronald, serving in the Air Force, crossed paths with Nellie, then a nursing student. Ronald was already a father to Shannon, Simone’s biological mother. Their connection deepened, leading to marriage on January 16, 1977. The Biles family expanded with two sons, Ronald Jr. and Adam, establishing a loving home. However, life took an unexpected turn when circumstances led them to play an even more significant role in another chapter of their family story – one that would involve adoption and a future Olympic champion.
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Alt text: Ronald and Nellie Biles, Simone Biles’ parents, smiling warmly together, highlighting the strong bond within the Simone Biles family.
Simone and her younger sister Adria faced early childhood adversity. Their biological mother, Shannon, struggled with addiction, making it impossible for her to provide a stable home. Simone, along with her siblings, entered foster care, a period she recalls with poignant memories of instability. “Being separated from my biological mom, being placed in foster care before I officially got adopted by my grandparents, it just set me up for a better route at life,” Simone shared in her Facebook Watch series, Simone Vs. Herself. These formative years, though challenging, ultimately paved the way for a transformative change orchestrated by her grandparents, Ronald and Nellie.
After three years in foster care, a beacon of hope emerged in the form of Ronald and Nellie. Driven by love and a deep sense of family responsibility, they made the life-altering decision to adopt Simone and Adria, bringing them into their home in Houston, Texas. This act of adoption redefined the very concept of family for Simone. Reflecting on this profound turning point, Simone stated, “I feel like I wouldn’t be where I am unless that turning point happened. I would still be Simone Biles, probably not Simone Biles that everybody else knows, the world knows. But I also believe everything happens for a reason and I’m forever grateful for that because I definitely got a second shot at life.” For Simone, Ronald and Nellie are unequivocally her parents, the anchors of her life. Her other two siblings, Tevin and Ashley, were lovingly adopted by their great-aunt, ensuring all four children found permanent, caring homes within their extended family network.
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Alt text: A heartwarming family photo of the Simone Biles family, including Simone, Adria, Ronald, and Nellie Biles, showcasing their close-knit relationship and the love that defines their family.
Nellie poignantly captured the essence of adoptive motherhood in Simone Vs. Herself, “I remember praying for that bonding … because telling them that you love them and you care for them; that’s all words. But then you wake up one day, and you realize that you would do anything for these children. And that you would die for these children. And when that feeling comes, that’s when you know you are truly a mother.” This sentiment underscores the profound love and commitment that defines the Simone Biles family dynamic.
Simone’s journey into gymnastics began at the age of six during a daycare field trip to a local gymnasium. Even at that young age, her natural talent was evident. Coaches recognized her potential and sent a note home encouraging enrollment in classes. Ronald and Nellie, always supportive and attentive to Simone’s interests, immediately seized this opportunity. “It was history from there,” Nellie fondly recounted to PEOPLE in 2016. Simone’s dedication was remarkable from the start. “She never missed a practice,” Nellie added, highlighting Simone’s early commitment. “Even if she was sick, I would tell her she should stay home, and she would say ‘No, I have to go to practice!'” This early enthusiasm, nurtured by her parents’ unwavering encouragement, laid the foundation for her extraordinary gymnastics career. Simone herself acknowledges their pivotal role, stating, “[They] support me in any way possible. My parents make sure we have everything we need so that we compete to the best of our abilities.”
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Alt text: Simone Biles with her parents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, pictured at a gymnastics event, illustrating their constant support and presence throughout her career as the Simone Biles family.
Throughout Simone’s illustrious career, Ronald and Nellie have been her most steadfast supporters, attending nearly every competition. The Tokyo Olympics in 2021 was a notable exception, due to COVID-19 restrictions. Simone openly discussed the added difficulty of competing without her family’s presence during her conversation with Brené Brown. “We go over to Tokyo and no audience is allowed, we’re quarantined in our rooms, and can only come out for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Everyone expected us to perform in a certain manner. There was no camaraderie, and my parents weren’t able to go there,” Simone explained. “My parents haven’t missed a competition in my life.” This absence underscored just how integral their presence is to her competition experience.
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Alt text: Simone Biles in action during a gymnastics event, with a blurred background suggesting a crowd, underscoring the usual presence of supportive family like Ronald and Nellie Biles at her competitions.
Prior to competitions, Simone has a cherished ritual: locating her parents in the audience. “She always knows where we are sitting, it doesn’t matter the arena. She’ll look and I’ll wave and we make a connection,” Nellie shared, highlighting this special bond. For the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Simone Biles family made sure to be there in full force. A contingent of seventeen family members, including Ronald and Nellie, traveled to Paris to cheer her on. Nellie, in an interview with Snoop Dogg and Hoda Kotb, expressed Simone’s happiness at their presence. Ronald even gained media attention for enthusiastically using binoculars to watch Simone compete, a gesture Simone found “soooo freaking cute” and shared on Instagram, further showcasing the endearing dynamic within the Simone Biles family.
Ronald and Nellie’s commitment to Simone’s gymnastics extended beyond emotional support. In 2014, they opened World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas, a state-of-the-art training facility. This pivotal decision was made to ensure Simone could continue training with her long-time coach, Aimee Boorman, without disruption. Their son, Adam Biles, previously served as the gym’s general manager, further cementing the family’s deep involvement in Simone’s training environment and the sport itself. World Champions Centre is more than just a gym; it’s a testament to the Simone Biles family’s dedication to fostering excellence and providing Simone with the best possible resources to achieve her dreams.
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Alt text: Simone Biles family picture featuring Simone, Ronald, and Nellie Biles alongside Magic Johnson, highlighting the broad support network and celebrity recognition of the Simone Biles family.
The bond between Simone and her parents is undeniably strong. Upon returning from the Tokyo Olympics, seeing her parents was her top priority. “Houston, I’m home. Thanks for making sure I didn’t have to wait one more minute to see my family,” she expressed on Instagram, illustrating the deep connection and comfort she finds in their presence. During her appearance on Dancing with the Stars in 2017, Simone spoke candidly about her gratitude, “My parents saved me. They’ve set huge examples of how to treat other people and they’ve been there to support me since day one. There’s nothing I could say to them to thank them enough.” Ronald, visibly moved, responded to host Tom Bergeron, “She’s just amazing. She surprises me.”
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Alt text: A candid and joyful family moment captured of the Simone Biles family, portraying their loving and supportive relationship, essential to Simone’s success.
Nellie’s supportive role extended beyond Simone’s athletic endeavors into personal milestones, including wedding planning. When Simone got engaged to NFL player Jonathan Owens in February 2022, Nellie was instrumental in helping plan the nuptials. Simone shared with PEOPLE, “She’s someone I can bounce things off of and has been letting me do my thing as I figure out what works for us. We are so excited to celebrate with our close circle, and she’s a big part of that.” Simone deeply values her parents’ guidance, “My mom gives me advice on everything… I look to both her and my dad as role models in many ways, but also as examples of what a strong base of love and support looks like.” In May 2023, Ronald proudly walked Simone down the aisle at her wedding in Cabo San Lucas, a beautiful symbol of his unwavering paternal role in the life of the gymnastics superstar.
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Alt text: Nellie Biles and Simone Biles pictured together at a public event, demonstrating their close mother-daughter bond and Nellie’s supportive presence in Simone’s life and career as part of the Simone Biles family.
The story of the Simone Biles family is more than just a celebrity profile; it is a heartwarming narrative of resilience, adoption, and the extraordinary power of family support. Ronald and Nellie Biles didn’t just adopt Simone and Adria; they provided them with a foundation of unwavering love, encouragement, and stability that enabled Simone to reach the pinnacle of athletic achievement. Their story serves as an inspiring reminder of the diverse forms families can take and the enduring impact of love and support in shaping lives and fostering dreams. The Simone Biles family exemplifies the idea that family is not just about blood, but about love, commitment, and unwavering support, proving to be the ultimate gold medal in Simone’s life.
