In a recent resurfacing of a 2016 interview, Ronald Biles, the adoptive father of Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, has shared a poignant account of how he and his wife Nellie took in Simone and her younger sister Adria during a critical time of their lives.
The story highlights the struggles faced by the Biles family amidst Simone’s rise to fame and the recent attempts by Simone’s biological mother to reconnect.
Ronald Biles, who is also Simone’s biological grandfather, detailed how he and Nellie adopted Simone and her siblings after their biological mother, Shanon, lost custody due to drug addiction.
In a 2016 interview with the Houston Chronicle, Ronald recounted receiving a call from a social worker that set the adoption of his grandchildren in motion.
“I got a call from a social worker, and my response was ‘Send them to me,’” Ronald revealed. “We finally got them in March 2000.”
Simone was just three years old at the time, and her sister Adria was only 13 months old. Ronald and Nellie’s decision to adopt came after Shanon and Simone’s father lost their parental rights due to substance abuse issues.
Despite the trauma of their early years, Simone and Adria quickly adjusted to their new home, calling Ronald and Nellie “mom” and “dad” without hesitation.
Simone has publicly praised her adoptive parents, describing Nellie as “the greatest mom” and acknowledging the unwavering support they provided.
The recent resurgence of family drama has brought renewed attention to Shanon’s attempt to reconnect with Simone. In a recent interview with The Daily Mail, Shanon expressed her desire to rebuild her relationship with her daughter, noting that she has refrained from using a direct contact number to avoid pressuring Simone.
Shanon admitted:
“I want her to reach out to me. 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.”
The evolving family dynamics have underscored the complex and often painful realities behind Simone Biles’ journey to becoming one of the most decorated athletes in history.
While Ronald and Nellie Biles have always supported Simone’s relationship with her biological mother, the current state of their family interactions remains a deeply personal matter.
