Was She in the Foster Care System?

Fans are curious to know more about whether Simone Biles was adopted, especially after the documentary “Simone Biles Rising” released on Netflix on July 17, 2024. The first two episodes of the docuseries provide some insight into the Olympic gymnast’s time in foster care and her subsequent adoption. Although Biles has previously discussed her experiences in the foster care system, the documentary also includes perspectives from her adoptive mother, Nellie Biles, who is married to Simone’s adoptive father and grandfather, Ronald Biles. Here’s what we know about Simone Biles’ adoption, her biological parents, and her foster care experience.

Simone Biles was officially adopted in 2003 when she was six years old by her grandfather, Ronald Biles, and his second wife, Nellie Biles. They also adopted Simone’s younger sister, Adria Biles.

When Simone was three, she and her siblings entered foster care. This was because her biological mother, Shanon Biles, struggled with drug and alcohol abuse. According to Life & Style magazine, Simone’s biological father, Kelvin Clemons, was never a part of her life. Simone recalls her struggles during that time in “Simone Biles Rising,” mentioning that she didn’t know where she would end up or if there would be food on the table.

According to Nellie in the documentary, Simone and her siblings spent six to nine months in foster care before they were brought into Nellie and Ronald’s home in Spring, Texas. During that chaotic period, Simone was sometimes separated from her siblings. After spending two years in their Texas home, Simone and Adria were officially adopted in 2003. Simone’s two older siblings, Ashley and Tevon, were adopted by Ronald’s sister, Harriet.

Reflecting on her adoptive parents, Simone acknowledges how challenging it was for them to not only bring her and her siblings into their home but also try to heal their trauma. She shares that “whenever you’re in foster care and you come out of it, the odds are against you.” This motivated her to push further, whether it was in gymnastics or other ventures, as she explains she was “always that kid that if somebody told me I couldn’t do something, I would.” Nellie adds that gymnastics gave Simone a sense of control, something the young gymnast could perfect.

In a 2023 interview with CNN, Biles expressed her support for Friends of the Children, a non-profit organization that provides mentors to vulnerable youth, including children still in foster care.

Looking ahead, Simone Biles is set to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her first day of competition is scheduled for July 28. If successful, she will compete in the Women’s Team Final on July 29, the Women’s All-Around on July 31, and multiple apparatus finals through to August 5.

Source: Life & Style magazine, Netflix, CNN