Simone Biles is one of the most celebrated gymnasts in the world, having won numerous medals and accolades that have made her a household name. However, her journey has not been easy, as it is marked by a complicated relationship with her birth mother, Shanon Biles.

Shanon, 52, living in Columbus, Ohio, had struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for many years. This made it impossible for her to care for Simone and her sister Adria. To protect the two girls, Simone’s paternal grandparents, Ronald and Nellie, took Simone and Adria in to live with them in Texas when Simone was just 6 years old.

Shanon shared that it was extremely difficult for her to have to abandon her children. “Giving up my kids was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. But I had to do what I had to do. I couldn’t take care of them. I was still using drugs and my dad didn’t want me around the kids when I wasn’t stable.”

Currently, Shanon wishes to meet and apologize to Simone. She shared: “I want to reconcile with Simone – I’m just waiting on her and Adria. I talk to Adria more than I do Simone. I just want to apologize to her. Can we just move forward? Don’t judge me on my past. Let’s just move forward.”

Shanon abandoned her daughters Simone and Adria when Simone was 6. Image Credit: Daily Mail.

However, Shanon understands that she needs to be patient and wait until Simone is ready to accept her. “Simone is 27 now. She’s married. I would have liked to have been a part of that, but I just have to wait for her,” Shanon said. “You can’t push anybody. It hasn’t happened yet, but I have patience. I’m waiting on her.”