Shanon Biles is the biological mother of Olympic gymnastics legend Simone Biles. While Simone was raised by her grandparents, Ron and Nellie Biles, and has repeatedly called them her true parents, public curiosity about her birth mother has never faded. Fans searching “who is Shanon Biles,” “Simone Biles biological mother,” or “Shanon Biles wiki bio” want the full picture: her background, struggles, relationship with her famous daughter, current life, and latest updates as of 2026.
Here’s everything known about Shanon Biles based on her own interviews, court records, and Simone’s public statements.
Who Is Shanon Biles? Early Life and Background
Shanon Biles (often spelled Shannon in some reports) is the biological daughter of Ronald “Ron” Biles. She was raised primarily in Columbus, Ohio, and has also been linked to the Cleveland area. Reports place her birth around 1971–1972; she was described as 52 in August 2024 interviews, making her approximately 53–54 years old as of September 2026.
She met Simone’s biological father, Kelvin Clemons, when both were teenagers. The couple had four children together:
- Ashley Biles-Thomas (born around 1990)
- Tevin Biles-Thomas (born around 1994)
- Simone Arianne Biles (born March 14, 1997, in Columbus, Ohio)
- Adria Biles (born 1999)
Shanon has spoken openly about her long battle with drug and alcohol addiction, which made it impossible for her to provide a stable home.
[Image: Simone Biles competing at the Paris 2024 Olympics]
Image URL: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/Simone_Biles_National_Team_2024.jpg/800px-Simone_Biles_National_Team_2024.jpg
Why Simone Biles Was Placed in Foster Care and Adopted
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Shanon’s addiction issues led to her four children being removed from her care and placed in the foster system. Simone has described this period as difficult but ultimately life-changing for the better.
In 2000, Ron Biles and his wife Nellie (Simone’s maternal grandfather and step-grandmother) stepped in. They eventually formally adopted Simone and Adria in 2003, when Simone was about six. The two older siblings, Ashley and Tevin, were adopted by Ron’s sister Harriet and remained in Ohio.
Shanon has said signing the adoption papers was one of the hardest things she ever did. In multiple interviews, including with the Daily Mail, she explained: “It was hard to give up my kids, but I had to do what I had to; I wasn’t able to care for them. I was still using, and he [her father] didn’t want me coming in and out of their lives when I wasn’t right.”
She was not allowed contact for the first six years after the adoption so the children could settle into their new home.
Simone has been clear and consistent about her feelings. She refers to Ron and Nellie as Mom and Dad and has said the adoption “set me up for a better route at life.” She has also stated she holds no grudges against her biological mother.
[Image: Ron and Nellie Biles with Simone at the Paris Olympics]
Image URL: https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2165990301/photo/paris-france-ron-biles-nellie-biles-gymnast-simone-biles-world-athletics-president-sebastian.jpg
Relationship Between Shanon Biles and Simone Biles
The relationship remains limited and distant. Shanon has said she speaks with Adria more regularly than with Simone. Contact with Simone is typically brief—birthday and holiday calls with messages of love and pride.
In an August 2024 Daily Mail interview after Simone’s dominant Paris Olympics performance (where she became the most decorated gymnast in history), Shanon publicly asked for forgiveness and expressed hope for reconciliation:
“I would like to make amends with Simone personally… I would just ask her to forgive me. Can we move forward? Don’t judge me on my past. Let’s move forward.”
She noted she learns most updates about Simone through her father Ron. Simone has acknowledged occasional contact but emphasizes that her primary parental bond is with Ron and Nellie. Shanon was not involved in Simone’s 2023 wedding to NFL player Jonathan Owens.
Shanon Biles Age, Net Worth, Job, and Current Life in 2026
As of 2026, Shanon Biles is in her mid-50s and continues to live in Columbus, Ohio (specifically associated with the Franklinton area in past reports).
She has said she has been sober since around 2007. In 2024 interviews she described working as a cashier at a Save A Lot grocery store when her health allows, sometimes earning around $100 a day. She has also mentioned medical issues that have limited her work at times. Earlier reports noted she previously worked as a home health aide.
Her financial situation has been difficult. She filed for bankruptcy in the past and has lived modestly with limited assets. There is no public evidence of significant net worth; estimates place it near zero or very low compared to Simone’s reported $25–40 million fortune built through gymnastics success, endorsements, and other ventures. Shanon has said she would accept help if offered but noted none has been forthcoming.
She has had legal troubles over the years, including an assault plea around 2019 and various citations, with the most recent public incidents reported around 2021. By 2022–2024 she appeared to have stabilized and stayed out of major legal issues.
Shanon maintains a low public profile. She does not have a widely known active Instagram or Twitter/X account under her name that is publicly verified or high-profile. Most information about her comes from occasional interviews rather than social media.
[Image: Simone Biles celebrating with medals at Paris 2024]
Image URL: https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2164217339/photo/paris-france-golds-simone-biles-of-team-united-states-poses-with-the-olympic-rings-and-a-goat.jpg
Quick Facts About Shanon Biles
- Full name: Shanon Biles (sometimes spelled Shannon)
- Approximate age in 2026: 53–54
- Born: Circa 1971–1972, Ohio
- Children: Ashley, Tevin, Simone, Adria
- Residence: Columbus, Ohio
- Occupation: Has worked as a cashier and home health aide
- Net worth: Not publicly substantial; lives modestly
- Known for: Biological mother of Simone Biles; history of addiction recovery
- Relationship status with Simone: Limited contact; has publicly requested reconciliation
Latest Updates on Shanon Biles as of 2026
Public information about Shanon has been quiet since her high-profile 2024 interviews following the Paris Olympics. No major new statements, legal developments, or public appearances have been widely reported in 2025–2026. She continues to live privately in Ohio while Simone balances life as a married athlete, occasional competitions or exhibitions, and high-profile personal projects.
Simone has remained focused on her immediate family—Ron, Nellie, her siblings, and husband Jonathan Owens—while expressing gratitude for the stability her adoptive parents provided.
FAQs About Shanon Biles
- Who is Shanon Biles?
She is the biological mother of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and three other children. She struggled with addiction and her parental rights were terminated, leading to the children’s adoption. - How old is Shanon Biles in 2026?
Approximately 53–54 years old. - Where does Shanon Biles live now?
Columbus, Ohio. - What is Shanon Biles’ net worth?
Not publicly known in detail, but reports describe a modest life working as a cashier with past financial struggles. No significant wealth has been reported. - Does Simone Biles talk to her biological mother?
Yes, occasionally on birthdays and holidays, but the relationship is limited. Simone considers Ron and Nellie her parents. - Is Shanon Biles on Instagram or Twitter?
She does not maintain a prominent public social media presence under her name. - Why was Simone Biles adopted?
Shanon’s drug and alcohol addiction made it impossible for her to care for her children, who entered foster care. Ron and Nellie Biles adopted Simone and Adria. - Does Shanon Biles have a relationship with Kelvin Clemons?
They have stayed in occasional contact according to past interviews; both have expressed pride in Simone. - Has Shanon Biles asked Simone for forgiveness?
Yes. In August 2024 she publicly expressed a desire to make amends and move forward. - Is Shanon Biles sober?
She has stated she has been sober since approximately 2007.
Shanon Biles’ story is one of personal struggle, difficult choices, and ongoing recovery. While she gave birth to one of the greatest athletes of all time, the path that led Simone to Olympic glory ran through the stability and love provided by Ron and Nellie Biles. As of 2026, Shanon continues to live a quiet life in Ohio, proud of her daughter from a distance and still hoping for closer reconciliation on Simone’s terms.
Simone Biles has turned a challenging start into an extraordinary life defined by resilience, excellence, and chosen family. That remains the central, inspiring chapter of this story.
