Iconic American gymnast Simone Biles, with eleven Olympic medals (7 Gold · 2 Silver · 2 Bronze) and 30 World Championship medals (23 gold, four silver, three bronze), has had her mother, Shannon Biles, publicly plead for forgiveness in a recent interview with the Daily Mail.
Shannon Biles, now 52, gave up Simone and her younger sister Adria for adoption to their grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, when they were toddlers. At the time, Shannon was struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, which left her unable to care for her daughters. Now, she hopes to one day reconnect with Simone and build a healthy relationship, but she acknowledges that the decision lies with her daughter.
“I would like to make amends with Simone personally. I am just waiting for her and her younger sister (Adria). I speak to Adria more than I speak with Simone. I will just ask her to forgive me. Can we move forward? Don’t judge me on my past. Let’s move forward,” Shannon told the Daily Mail in an interview. “I’m waiting for the opportunity, but I’m waiting for her to be able to come to me. Let’s sit down. I just have to be patient.”
Shannon’s interview was published shortly after the conclusion of the 2024 Olympics, where Simone earned the title of GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in gymnastics, taking home three gold medals and a silver.
Shannon, who has been following her daughter’s Olympic performances from her home in Columbus, Ohio, takes immense pride in Simone’s achievements, even though they do not have a close relationship or regular communication.
“What I hear about Simone, I hear through my dad. I speak to my dad all the time. We are good now. It was just his birthday, and I called to wish him a happy birthday,” Shannon explained.
Simone and Adria, who were raised by their grandparents in Houston, found stability in their new home after struggling with their mother’s addiction. While Simone’s feelings towards her mother remain unclear, in a 2015 report by the Associated Press, she was noted to be quick to correct anyone who referred to Shannon as her mother.
“I am not the person I used to be. I’m OK today. I’m a loving person,” Shannon expressed, reflecting on the pain of missing out on significant moments in Simone’s life, including her wedding to NFL player Jonathan Owens. Shannon hopes for the chance to share her side of the story with her daughters and to express how proud she is of Simone. She also mentioned that Simone’s father would like to reunite with her as well.
Although Shannon has a direct number to contact Simone, she prefers to wait for Simone to reach out first, as she does not want to force the relationship.
“I do have a direct number, but I won’t use it. I want her to reach out to me. She is 27 years old now, and she is married. I would have liked to have been a part of that, but I have to wait for her. You cannot push anybody. It has not happened yet, but I have patience. I am waiting on her,” Shannon Biles said to the Daily Mail.
Simone Biles, born on March 1, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio, discovered gymnastics at the age of six and quickly rose through the ranks. By 2013, she had made her mark on the senior international stage, winning her first All-Around World Championship title. Her dominance in the sport has made her the most decorated gymnast in history.
Beyond her gymnastics career, Biles has become a prominent advocate for mental health and has been vocal about issues within the gymnastics community. She married NFL player Jonathan Owens in April 2023 and continues to inspire others through both her athletic achievements and her advocacy.
In response to Shannon’s recent interview, fans and supporters are eagerly awaiting Simone’s reaction, while some have questioned why Shannon has not taken the first step and where she has been all this time, choosing only now to come forward.
