After earning the all-around title in the London Olympics as the first Black woman, Gabby Douglas came under thorough public scrutiny for illegitimate reasons. Such issues increased after she failed in the uneven bars routine in the Rio Olympics. However, these did not go off the radar from Gabby Douglas‘ mother, Natalie Hawkins. Being closest to the gymnast, Natalie had to step into the matter to ease the situation. She did that ultimately. 

After thoroughly ridiculing all the blame on her daughter, the proud mother claimed at the end, “It’s a huge honor for me to be her [Gabby Douglas] mother as she’s the bravest person I know.” The fabled story of helping each other continues as Gabby Douglas is looking to attain her next goal, the Paris Olympics. However, the depth of their relationship had to face the test of time several times because of the absence of Gabby’s father. Here’s a lowdown of the entire chapter. 

Who is Gabby Douglas’ mother?

Since her gaining a sense of life, Gabby Douglas has been seeing her mother, Natalie, only around her. The reason is the estranged relationship between her mother and father, Timothy Douglas. In remembering Timothy, the three-time Olympic gold medalist once said, “I haven’t heard from him. He’s doing his own thing. What can you do? Everyone has hiccups in their families.” Eventually, after her birth in 1995, Gabby could have rejoiced with her father’s accompaniment until 2007, as in that year, Gabby’s parents parted ways. But the value of separation was staggering, leaving the reins in Natalie’s hand. 

The foremost issue that loomed over Gabby and her family was the financial condition. Describing that part of her life, Gabby said, “My mom had to front all these bills. My dad didn’t really pay the child support. He was short [on money]. It was definitely hard on her part, and she had to take care of me and the rest of my siblings.” Since then, Natalie Hawkins has been acting as the pillar of hope for her daughter. 

The daughter also acknowledges that contribution. “She’s always been there,” the member of Fierce Five said. Furthermore, among the siblings, Gabby Douglas remained the apple of her eye, being the youngest one. So, when the gymnastics engagement demanded little Gabby to part ways with her family, her mother was not ready to let her go away from her eyes. But a close-knit bond in the family came to ease the situation. 

Natalie Hawkins was hesitant to let Douglas relocate for training

Despite being a watchful mother on her daughter’s gymnastic development, Natalie Hawkins was not ready to let Gabby move to Iowa for further training. But the gymnast’s stunning performances at the school level necessitated her shifting to Iowa to full-time coach, Liang Chow. However, the ice between the yes and no broke after Gabby’s siblings stepped into the situation. 

The siblings fittingly prepared the pros-and-cons list to let Natalie know about the outcome, eyeing Gabby’s medal contention in the 2012 Olympics. The rest, as they say, is history. Gabby Douglas entered the London Olympics being a part of the Fierce Five which earned team gold. Furthermore, she continued the legacy Carly Patterson and Nastia Liukin had established beforehand earning consecutive Olympic all-around titles in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. Natalie Hawkins watched her daughter’s achievement from the gallery. Now, when Gabby Douglas is vying for her gymnastic return, surely Nathalie will back her with all her fortunes.