In a candid and heartfelt interview, Shanon Biles, the biological mother of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, opened up about her past struggles and her hopes for the future. Speaking to DailyMail.com, Shanon, now 52, shared the painful story of how her battle with drug addiction led her to abandon her children—a decision that continues to weigh heavily on her heart.
Shanon recalls the challenging times that forced her to relinquish custody of her children, Simone and her younger sister, Audrea, to her father, Ronald, and his wife, Nelly. “It was hard to give up my kids, but I had to do what I had to do,” Shanon confessed. “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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Despite the years that have passed and the immense distance, both physical and emotional, between her and Simone, Shanon remains incredibly proud of her daughter’s accomplishments. She beamed with pride as she celebrated Simone’s triumphant return to the gymnastics stage, where she reaffirmed her status as the greatest of all time (G.O.A.T) by taking home three golds and one silver at the recent Paris Olympics.
But for Shanon, the celebrations were bittersweet. She was reminded of the many life events she has missed, including Simone’s wedding to NFL player Jonathan Owens. “I would like to make amends with Simone personally,” Shanon said, expressing her longing for reconciliation. “I’m just waiting for her and her younger sister Audrea. I speak to Audrea 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 us move forward.”
Shanon’s past is marked by a series of hardships, including financial difficulties, legal troubles, and her ongoing battle with addiction. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy petition filed in 2018 revealed her dire financial situation, with debts totaling over $14,000 and assets amounting to very little. Legal records also show that she faced court action 36 times for various misdemeanors and was even found guilty of assault in January 2020.
However, since 2022, Shanon has managed to stay out of trouble and is committed to her recovery. She now works as a cashier at Save A Lot, a discount grocery store, and is focused on living a better life. “I am a recovering addict and will always be an addict, but there’s a way to recovery,” Shanon shared, speaking with the wisdom that comes with experience. “You have to learn to stay away from people, places, and things, change your routine, and live your best life.”
Despite her personal growth and efforts to stay sober, Shanon acknowledges the ongoing distance between her and Simone. Their relationship is characterized more by absence than by conflict, with little direct communication between them. “What I hear about Simone, I hear through my dad,” Shanon said, revealing the thin thread that connects her to her daughter’s life.
As she continues on her path to redemption, Shanon Biles holds onto the hope that one day she will have the opportunity to make amends with Simone. She is patient, knowing that the first step towards reconciliation must come from Simone herself. Until then, Shanon remains a proud mother from afar, longing for a future where forgiveness can bridge the gap that has kept them apart for so long.
