Simone Biles, known for her unmatched grace and strength in gymnastics, didn’t have an easy path to the top. Before her documentary series, few knew that her biological mother, Shannon Biles, battled drug and alcohol addiction, leading to Simone being adopted by her grandparents, Ronald and Nellie Biles. Reflecting on her past, Simone told People.com, “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.” 

Shannon later got clean and worked as a cashier, earning over $100 daily, but had to stop due to medical issues. For Shannon, that $100 a day was a harsh reality check after years of addiction. Despite everything, Simone, the G.O.A.T. of gymnastics, endured without the support of her parents, showcasing her incredible strength.

From struggle to strength: An insight into both Simone Biles’ and her mother’s lives

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com on 14 August 2024, 52-year-old Shannon Biles opened up about her journey to sobriety. She shared, “I’m not working right now because of medical issues, but when I do, I work as a cashier at Save A Lot.” After hitting a low point in 2022, Shannon decided to rebuild her life by working at the discount grocery store Save A Lot that same year. Her words reflect her resilience and determination to turn her life around. As the average salary of a cashier is $15 for working 8 hours a day, she now earns beyond $100 per day. But Shannon also acknowledges the enduring challenge of her recovery. The journey itself was nothing sort of tragic, as she was financially broke and could not even take care of her children properly.

Living in a red-brick row house in Franklinton earlier, Shanon is now 52 and has experienced financial and illegal problems for many years. The year she filed for bankruptcy (2018), she had no savings. All Shanon owned were two unusable cars—a totaled Toyota Scion XB 2008 and a non-roadworthy GMC Sierra 2003—which can be worth a combined $2,125. and a card with a $34 balance. In terms of assets, Shanon’s home was worth $9,684—but that’s not all.

In this category, she even included items like jewelry, electronics, homeware, clothes, etc., that are worth $9,650, and she also listed her pets in that category. Altogether, Shanon owed more than $14,000 to various companies, and she had dozens of court cases haunting her. One of these was the assault charge from 2020. With a lot of heavy debts, she eventually ended up in jail, penniless.

Right after 2021, however, Shanon took a new path in life. Two years later, she got a job as a cashier. But she also knows that she can never become a proper, clean person, as she said clearly, “I am a recovering addict and will always be an addict.” Despite this reality, she emphasizes hope and determination, adding, “But there’s a way [to recovery].” She describes the ongoing journey with resilience, saying, “You have to learn to stay away from people, places and things,” and underscores the importance of change with, “Change your routine and live your life. Live your best life,” indicating how life can take a positive turn if she focuses on positive people and things around her.

As for the G.O.A.T. daughter in question, Simone Biles strongly believes that everything in life happens for a reason and will be forever grateful as life gave her the second-best shot to enjoy every moment now. However, her biological mother tried to reach her several times, but his grandfather never let this happen, so she decided to wait for her daughter with a lot of patience. He stopped communicating with her daughter when she left Simone at his place. But things have changed, and now she lives in Columbus, Ohio.

After recovery, she always wanted to stand behind her daughter at her major events but could not do that; as she once said in a 2016 interview with The Daily Mail, “You always have a bond with your child but with us not growing up together, I don’t want to make her nervous, get her out of character. I’m just here, yelling, ‘Go Simone!’ at the TV.” Shannon celebrated Simone’s Olympic performance with a party in her backyard, though she remains cautious, fearing another difficult phase for her daughter. Despite these early trials, Biles’ journey from foster care to gymnastics stardom showcases her resilience and the remarkable path she carved against the odds.

Biles’ early hardships and foster care struggles

Simone’s early years were marked by hardship. Her biological mother, Shannon, struggled with addiction, leaving Simone and her three siblings to spend three years in foster care. Simone remembers those times as “always being hungry and afraid.” Despite the difficulties, Simone cherished visits with her grandparents, Ronald and Nellie. When Simone was six, her grandparents adopted her and her sister Adria. Ronald and Nellie became her true parents, providing the stability and support she needed. Now 27, Simone’s bond with Nellie remains strong. Nellie, who once prayed for a special connection with Simone, reflects on their adoption, acknowledging its profound impact on their lives.

For Simone, understanding her family tree has been challenging. “That’s also crazy explaining to people because I’m like, ‘My biological mom is also my dad’s daughter,’” she said. “So it’s just like everybody’s hella confused… It’s a whole family tree that you’re like, ‘Don’t make me explain it. My parents are my parents. I got chosen. Feeling blessed.’” Growing up, Shannon’s struggles meant she was often absent, unable to care for her children. Simone recalled a time when she was so hungry that she resented a cat that was fed while she wasn’t. “I remember there was this cat around the house and I would be so hungry. They would feed this cat and I would be like, ‘Where the heck is my food?’”

When Simone and her siblings moved between foster homes, her grandfather decided to take them in permanently. Although Nellie initially hesitated because they weren’t her biological children, she soon realized her love for them was as strong as any mother. Simone’s biological mother, now clean and sober, supports her daughter from a distance. She likely feels relief knowing Simone and her siblings received the care they needed. Simone’s journey into gymnastics began at age six after a visit to a gym piqued her interest. Her coaches encouraged her to enroll in classes, which Ronald and Nellie fully supported. “It was history from there,” Nellie recalled, highlighting Simone’s dedication.

Simone Biles’ parents were always by her side, ensuring she had the support to succeed. “[My parents] support me in any way possible,” Simone said. Her admiration for them is evident. After the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, she praised Nellie’s constant support: “She encourages me and never lets me feel down about something for too long.” Nellie, touched by Simone’s words, responded, “It means a lot. I feel like we have done the right thing. And, so, yes, we did something right in her life.” It’s clear that Nellie is proud of their decision to adopt Simone. Their journey together has been one of love and support, shaping Simone’s path to gymnastics greatness.