Simone Biles’ birth mother, Shanon Biles, is seeking reconciliation and hopes to reconnect with the Olympic gymnast after years of estrangement.
In an emotional and candid interview with the Daily Mail, Shanon opened up about the difficult journey that led to her losing custody of her children due to her struggles with drug and alcohol addiction.
Shanon, who remains in Columbus, Ohio, where Simone, 27, and her sister Adria Biles, 22, were born, shared the heart-wrenching story of how her addiction spiraled out of control, ultimately resulting in her children being placed in foster care. Eventually, Simone and Adria were adopted by Shanon’s father, Ronald Biles, 75, and his wife, Nellie, who raised the girls in Houston, Texas, starting when Simone was just 6 years old.
Her two eldest children, Ashley Biles-Thomas, 34, and Tevin Biles-Thomas, 29, were taken in by Ronald’s sister, further fracturing the family as Shanon battled her demons. “It took me six years before I saw my children again,” Shanon recalled. “I was respecting my dad’s wishes to let the kids transition. He believed that was the best thing for them.”
Reflecting on the painful decisions she had to make, Shanon admitted, “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.”
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Now 52, Shanon has turned her life around in recent years. Since 2022, she has managed to stay clean and sober, working as a cashier at a Save-A-Lot grocery store. “I am a recovering addict and will always be an addict,” she said. “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.”
Shanon emphasized that she is no longer the person she once was. “I’m not the person I used to be,” she insisted, describing herself as a “loving person” who would “give you the shirt off [her] back.”
Despite having Simone’s direct phone number, Shanon has chosen not to reach out, hoping instead that her daughter will take the first step. “I want her to reach out to me,” she explained. “She’s 27 now. She’s married. I would have liked to have been a part of that, but I just have to wait for her. You can’t push anybody. It hasn’t happened yet, but I have patience. I’m waiting on her.”
In the meantime, Shanon has reestablished a relationship with her father, Ronald, and they now talk regularly. “What I hear about Simone I hear through my dad,” she admitted, adding that she recently joined neighbors and friends to watch Simone’s historic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she became the most decorated gymnast in history.
Shanon expressed a deep desire to make amends with Simone. “I would like to make amends with Simone personally,” she said. “I would just ask her to forgive me. ‘Can we move forward? Don’t judge me on my past. Let’s move forward. … Let’s sit down.’”
Shanon wants Simone to know how much she loves her and how proud she is of her achievements. She also revealed that Simone’s biological father, Kevin Clemons, who lives in Cleveland, has also struggled with addiction and remains out of contact with Simone. However, Shanon, who is still in touch with him, said that he, too, would like to rebuild a relationship with their daughter.
In a heartfelt message to Simone, Shanon said, “I would like to sit down and talk to you and answer any questions you may have. I don’t know what you’ve been told, but I want you to hear the real deal.”
Shanon’s plea for forgiveness and reconciliation comes at a time when she is ready to move forward and hopes that one day she and Simone can rebuild their relationship on a foundation of honesty, understanding, and love.
