Shannon Biles Opens Up About Struggles, Addiction, and Hope for Reconciliation with Daughter Simone

As Simone Biles continues to make headlines for her triumphs at the 2024 Paris Olympics, her biological mother, Shannon Biles, is quietly watching from afar. Despite the physical distance and years of estrangement, Shannon, 52, still beams with pride over her daughter’s accomplishments, recently celebrating Simone’s Olympic victories with friends and neighbors in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Shannon expressed her deep desire to reconnect with Simone and her younger sister, Adria, who were both adopted by Shannon’s father, Ronald Biles, and his wife Nelly when Simone was just six years old. Speaking candidly about her past, Shannon reflected on her struggles with drug addiction, the pain of losing her children, and her hope for forgiveness.

“I had to do what I had to do,” Shannon explained, recalling the difficult decision to give up her children when her life spiraled out of control due to drug and alcohol addiction. “I wasn’t able to care for them… My father didn’t want me coming in and out of their lives when I wasn’t right.”

Simone, now 27, and her younger sister, Adria, were placed in foster care before being adopted by their maternal grandparents and moved to Texas. Shannon’s two older children, Tevin and Ashley, were taken in by Ronald’s sister. Shannon acknowledged that her father stepped in when she was unable to care for her children and admits she still longs to make amends.

Despite the years of separation, Shannon holds onto hope that Simone will one day reach out to her. “I would like to make amends with Simone personally,” Shannon said. “I would just ask her to forgive me… I’m waiting for her to be able to come to me. I just have to be patient.”

Shannon’s pride in Simone’s accomplishments is evident. She recently threw a backyard party to celebrate her daughter’s success in Paris, where Simone won three gold medals and one silver. However, the celebration was bittersweet, as Shannon remains on the outside of Simone’s life, having had no part in major events such as Simone’s wedding last year to NFL player Jonathan Owens.

Shannon’s life has been marked by struggles beyond her addiction. In 2018, she filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, listing her assets as meager and including two unusable cars, homeware, and even her pets. Her debts totaled over $14,000, and she has faced court action multiple times for traffic misdemeanors and criminal charges. In 2020, Shannon was found guilty of assault and served probation until 2022. However, she has been clean and sober since 2022 and now works as a cashier at a discount grocery store.

“I am a recovering addict and will always be an addict,” Shannon stated. “But there’s a way to recovery. You have to learn to stay away from people, places, and things… and live your best life.”

Despite the challenges she faces, Shannon is determined to move forward and hopes for reconciliation with her daughter. “I’m not the person I used to be… I’m okay today. I’m a loving person. I’m very different from what I’ve been portrayed.”

For now, the relationship between Shannon and Simone remains distant, characterized more by absence than conflict. Shannon receives updates about her daughter through her father, but she remains hopeful that one day she and Simone can sit down and heal the wounds of the past.

As Shannon continues her journey of recovery and self-improvement, her love for her daughter remains steadfast, and she holds onto the hope that one day, they can rebuild their relationship.