Simone Biles once revealed her childhood struggles, recalling how a cat in the house got fed while she and her siblings went hungry. “That’s why I don’t like cats,” she said. Growing up in poverty with a mother struggling with drug addiction, Biles and her siblings often went hungry before ending up in foster care. Thankfully, her grandparents adopted her, and, well, the rest is history—Olympic medals, world records, and a bank account that could probably buy dinner for every stray cat in America. But instead of holding grudges (against humans, at least), she now gives back, helping others facing the same struggles she once did.

Simone Biles is enjoying her delayed honeymoon in South Africa with her husband, Jonathan Owens. There, she’s taking in the wildlife and the culture and probably wondering how giraffes manage to be that tall without getting dizzy. But while she’s soaking in the sights, she’s also witnessing reality. According to a 2020 report, about 55.5% of South Africa’s population—roughly 30.3 million people—live in poverty.

Biles, whose net worth sits comfortably at $25 million as of January 2025, knows she’s in a position to help. So instead of just snapping safari pics, she and Owens visited Xilavero Day Care. There, she was spending time with the kids, handing out nutritional bars, and even stopping by the baby room to donate blankets knitted by a local senior center. Because if there’s one thing Biles knows, it’s how much a little kindness can go a long way. She later took to Instagram to share an update, posting a photo of the daycare’s gate and building.

But her caption was what hit home: “Obert started this himself from the ground up. He just wanted to help the community and the children… provide a safe space while the parents are working, & the kids learn so much while they play! They arrive at 6 am and usually leave around 6 pm. Literal saints, & we had such a good time visiting the kids. We need more people like Obert. They currently help 87 children.”

It’s clear that Biles isn’t just flipping and twisting her way into record books—she’s using her success to lift others up, proving that being a goat isn’t just about medals; it’s about heart. And this isn’t just a one-time thing; Biles has consistently used her influence to support children in need!

More than medals Simone Biles is changing lives one flip at a time

Simone Biles may make Olympic gymnastics look effortless, but her childhood was anything but easy. Born into a tough situation, Biles and her siblings spent years in the foster care system. Thankfully, after three years in foster care, her grandparents, Ronald and Nellie Biles, adopted her at age six. This gave her the stability she needed.

Not long after, she discovered gymnastics on a school trip—having no clue what it was. Now, with seven Olympic golds, world records, and goat status, she’s using her success to help kids who, like her, started life with more struggles than safety nets. One of the biggest ways Biles gives back is through Friends of the Children—Houston.

It is a nonprofit that pairs underresourced kids with professional mentors to help break the cycle of generational poverty. She helped bring the program to Houston in 2023. Since then she has made sure that kids in her hometown get the kind of support she wishes she had back then. The organization, which started in Oregon in 1993, has grown to 37 locations across the US. It provides long-term mentorship for kids who need a steady presence in their lives.

In fact, Biles dedicated her second Wheaties box appearance to Friends of the Children. And has since used her spotlight to amplify their work. Since its launch, the Houston chapter has gone from a big dream to a real impact. It introduced its first cohort of 24 kids and three mentors in August 2023. But at the same time, she’s also been open about her own foster care experience with Friends of the Children on Instagram.

Tagging the post-foster child, she wrote, “A conversation I had about a [topic] that is near & dear to my heart,” adding a few heart-hand emojis. “I actually was a foster kid, so I know some of those hardships that those kids go through,” Biles said. She shared those early struggles, explaining, “It gives them love and support because that’s what these kids need. To have that one constant means the world to them.”

And that’s what makes Biles more than just a gymnastics legend. No, she’s flipping the script for kids who need it most. She is proving that being the GOAT isn’t just about medals. It’s about making sure others get the chance to win at life, too.