Simone Biles' birth mother Shanon explains why she 'had to' abandon the gymnast, begs for reconnection
COLUMBUS, OHIO: Simone Biles’ biological mother, Shanon Biles, has spoken up about abandoning the legendary gymnast at an early age.
The 27-year-old recently became the 11-time Olympic medalist, equaling the world record of Czechoslovakia’s Vera Caslavska.
Simone Biles' mother Shanon Biles talks about her drug struggles
Simone Biles' mother Shanon Biles asked for her daughter’s forgiveness and wished to reconnect with her soon in a recent interview. “It was hard to give up my kids, but I had to do what I had to do,” Shanon told Daily Mail.
“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.”
The 52-year-old explained that she wasn’t on her best behavior back then, “I was hard-headed. I didn’t care, screaming, ‘I want to see my kids, why you doing this to me?’ I didn’t understand at the time but years later, I understood why. I had to deal with me first.”
Who raised Simone Biles and her siblings?
Simone Biles and her siblings were raised by Shanon’s father Ronald Biles and his wife Nellie Biles since her biological mother couldn’t handle her drug and alcohol struggles.
The grandparents took Simone and Adria to Texas, and the two eldest children Tevin and Ashley were taken in by Ronald’s sister Harriet in Cleveland.
Simone Biles gives the sweetest answer to who she feels got her to where she is now. 💞 pic.twitter.com/wAOKQetToe
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) August 6, 2024
Shanon maintains a connection with Simone’s biological father Kelvin Clemons, who however has no contact with the athlete.
“We both want to see her. I talk to him all the time. He says, ‘If you talk to Simone, give her my number. I’d love to talk to her.’ But I can’t even talk to her. I have to go through my dad,” said Shanon.
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She also told the outlet, “I want to let her know I love her and I’m very proud of her. But I’m still waiting,” referring to Simone.
The mother wasn't invited to Simone’s wedding to NFL star Jonathan Owens in 2023, as the two are not on talking terms. Interestingly, Adria speaks regularly with Shanon.
Shanon revealed like any other proud mom, she celebrated Simone's success at the Paris Olympics and threw a party at her Ohio home.
