Simone Biles: 'My road to success began the day my grandfather and his wife adopted me' — gymnast credits grandparents for her rise

A foundation built on love, not medals

For Simone Biles, success did not begin with an Olympic gold medal, a world championship title or a difficult gymnastics routine. Long before she became one of the most famous gymnasts in the world, her life took a major turn when her grandparents stepped in and gave her and her younger sister, Adria, a stable home.

Biles has often spoken about how important that moment was in her life, especially because she and her siblings had spent time in foster care after their biological mother struggled to care for them. Her maternal grandfather, Ron Biles, and his wife, Nellie, eventually adopted Simone and Adria and raised them in Spring, Texas.

"My road to success began the day my grandfather and his wife officially adopted my sister and me."

The quote, Biles says, means far more than the legal moment she became their daughter. For her, it represents the beginning of a safer childhood, a stronger support system and the chance to discover what she could become. Her story also shows that sometimes the people who change our lives are the ones who simply decide to stay, support us and give us the confidence to move forward.

Before the adoption: a childhood in foster care

Simone Biles was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1997. Her early childhood was not easy. Her biological mother, Shanon Biles, struggled with drug and alcohol dependency, and Simone and her siblings spent time in foster care. During that period, her grandparents became an important source of comfort and stability.

Biles has remembered being especially excited whenever her grandfather visited her while she was in foster care. Ron Biles and Nellie Biles eventually took Simone and her younger sister, Adria, into their home. The couple later legally adopted both girls, while another relative took care of Simone's older siblings.

This was a major change for a young Simone. She was no longer moving through an uncertain situation and wondering where she would live. She had a home where she could grow up with people who were committed to her. Biles has previously explained that she considered being adopted normal because it was the life she knew — she did not spend her childhood feeling that something was missing.

Why the adoption was the start of her success

When Biles describes her adoption as the beginning of her road to success, she points to everything that happened after that turning point. Success did not arrive overnight; the adoption created the foundation from which she could build her life.

One of the biggest changes was stability. A child needs more than talent to reach a high level in any sport — they need adults who can provide encouragement, transportation, time, money, emotional support and a safe place to return to after a difficult day. Biles found that support with Ron and Nellie.

Biles first encountered gymnastics during a daycare field trip when she was around six years old. She began copying the movements of older gymnasts, and coaches noticed that she had unusual natural ability. Her family then supported her as she started taking gymnastics more seriously.

How Ron and Nellie built her future

Ron and Nellie did more than give Simone and Adria a home. They became active parts of the girls' lives and supported their interests as they grew up. As Simone's gymnastics career developed, the family continued to stand behind her. Nellie has spoken about creating a strong support system around Simone, including family traditions such as weekly dinners and attending church together.

The family also traveled to support Biles during major competitions, showing that her achievements were never treated as something she had to experience alone. Ron and Nellie later opened the World Champions Centre in Spring, Texas, where Biles trained — another part of the environment that supported her development as an elite gymnast.

But their influence was not only about gymnastics. The most important thing they gave Biles was the feeling that she belonged. After the adoption papers were signed, Biles asked Nellie if she could call her "Mom." For a young child, that simple question carried enormous meaning. Nellie has described the emotional process of becoming a mother to children who were previously her grandchildren, saying there was a point when she realized she would do anything for them — and that was when she knew she was truly their mother.

The people behind the champion

The most powerful part of Biles' quote is that she does not describe success as something she achieved completely by herself. Instead, she connects her journey to a decision made by other people when she was still a child.

Biles became a multiple Olympic gold medalist, a world champion and one of the most decorated gymnasts in history. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, she added more medals to a career that had already made her one of the biggest names in gymnastics. Yet behind every routine was a larger story — the child who experienced foster care, the grandfather who wanted to make sure she and Adria were cared for, and Nellie, who became her mother and helped create a loving home.

Her words also carry a message for children who may be going through difficult situations. A difficult beginning does not necessarily decide how the rest of a person's life will look. The right people, the right support and the right opportunities can change the direction of a life.

Before Simone Biles became an Olympic champion, she was a young girl who simply needed a safe place to grow — and found one with the family who chose to love her.