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Shanon Biles, Simone Biles’ estranged mother, wishes to offer an olive branch to the Olympic gymnast after years of being absent from her life.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Simone and her young sister, Adria, were removed from Shanon’s care during childhood due to her struggles with drug addiction and alcohol abuse. After a turbulent period in the foster care system, Simone and her younger sister were eventually adopted by Shanon’s father, Ronald, and second wife, Nellie. Simone was 6 when her maternal grandparents gave her a loving home in Texas.
Shanon, who has observed her daughter’s remarkable success in gymnastics from the sidelines, has expressed her readiness to develop a closer relationship with her. However, she hopes Simone will be the one to take the first step.
“It was hard to give up my kids, but I had to do what I had to do. I wasn’t able to care for them. I was still using and [my father] didn’t want me coming in and out of their lives when I wasn’t right,” the 52-year-old shared during a recent interview with the Daily Mail.
“I would like to make amends with Simone personally – I’m just waiting for her and [her younger sister] Adria. I speak to Adria more than I speak to Simone. I would just ask her to forgive me. Can we move forward? Don’t judge me on my past. Let’s move forward. I’m waiting for the opportunity but I’m waiting on her to be able to come to me. Let’s sit down. I just have to be patient.”
Even though Ronald and Nellie are her grandparents, Simone frequently calls them her parents. In her 2021 Facebook Watch Series Simone Vs. Herself, she expressed her gratitude to them for transforming her life, highlighting how challenging it was to be separated from Shanon.
“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,” she told fans on an episode of the seven-part series.
“I feel like I wouldn’t be where I am unless that turning point happened. I would still be Simone Biles, probably not Simone Biles that everybody else knows, the world knows. But I also believe everything happens for a reason and I’m forever grateful for that because I definitely got a second shot at life,” the star added.
Shanon Biles celebrates Simone from a far.
Although she’s devastated that she has missed out on key moments within her 27-year-old daughter’s life such as her 2023 wedding with NFL star Jonathan Owens, Shanon has never stopped loving and celebrating the athlete from afar.
The 52-year-old matriarch shared that she hosted a celebration at her home in Columbus, Ohio, to honor Simone after the gymnast achieved GOAT status by winning three gold medals and one silver at the Paris Olympics. Simone, who boasts 30 World Championship medals, secured gold in the individual all-around, vault, and team final. She earned a silver medal in the floor exercise, falling just .033 points short of another gold due to deductions for stepping out of bounds twice.
When she wants to check up on Simone, she call Ronald to see how her daughter is doing. “If I need to know anything I call my dad. I ask him about Simone, and he keeps me posted.”
Shanon said she’s approaching her recovery journey one day at a time, aiming to live her best life in hopes of reconnecting with her children. Alongside Simone and Adria, her eldest children, Tevin, now 29, and Ashley, now 34, were also taken away and are being raised by Ronald’s sister.
“I am a recovering addict and will always be an addict. But there’s a way [to recovery]. You have to learn to stay away from people, places and things. Change your routine and live your life. Live your best life.”
Simone Biles hasn’t responded to her mother’s request as of yet.
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